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The Financial Assistance Bill passed its final stage today. This morning's discussions, whilst they wouldn't have been new to those who sat through previous lengthy proceedings, were illuminating as a synopsis of the tortured relations within the Executive.

Yesterday, and again today, Alex Attwood made much of Carál Ní Chuilín's retort that the SDLP should "get used to it". He viewed that as a reference to the two dominant parties bulldozering measures through, despite the objections of their partners. The Sinn Fein Chief Whip said she was just talking about her party's response to an "incompetent" minister.

Peter Robinson said that if a "man from mars" had witnessed the exchanges over the bill he would have been amazed to find out that it dealt with getting much needed help to vulnerable people. Barry McElduff accused the junior partners of "negativity for negativity's sake".

All in all another normal working day in the fractious coalition.
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