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Illustrating his concern that the First and Deputy First Ministers could use their Financial Assistance Bill in a power grab on other departments, Danny Kennedy talked about "Henry VIII powers".

Peter Robinson denied he was acting like a despotic monarch, retorting that the Ulster Unionist Deputy Leader knew as much about Tudor Monarchs as he did about Tudor Crisps.

The Financial Assistance Bill is the vehicle by which the Executive intends to make fuel poverty payments to 100,000 vulnerable households. But it could be used in future crises.

The SDLP and Alliance have expressed concern that the powers could be used to railroad ministers. The SDLP is particularly worried about Clause 2 of the Bill which deals with poverty and social exclusion. They suspect this could lead to interference with the Social Development brief of their minister Margaret Ritchie. Peter Robinson replies that the bill talks about poverty in particular because it deals with financial assistance intended to alleviate hardship.

Despite that the bill sailed through its stages today. Next week we shall find out if the OFMDFM is willing to accept any amendments.

(P.S. For the legal eagles amongst you, I gather that a "Henry VIII power" is a power in a bill which enables primary legislation to be amended or repealed by secondary legislation with or without further parliamentary scrutiny.)

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