The North's environment minister has pledged she will not "park" the controversial Giant's Causeway visitors' centre planning application even if a rival proposal emerges.
Arlene Foster told her Assembly scrutiny committee that work towards a final decision on Co Antrim businessman Seymour Sweeney's bid to build a private facility continued despite claims of a counter-proposal from a Belfast developer.
She also repeated that she had received no representations from anybody about the matter. She shares party ties to DUP member Mr Sweeney.
"I am not going to discriminate between planning applications. Each of the planning applications have to stand on their own merit," she said.
Earlier this month the minister said she was minded to grant permission to Mr Sweeney to build on his land close to the north coast attraction. She was challenged on the matter by MLAs at Stormont today.
Peter Curistan, who built the Odyssey arena in Belfast, has said he can build a centre for free if he is allowed to develop in the area, but Planning Service officials have not been contacted.
The minister said she had not heard any alternative options other than through the media. However, she insisted: "This isn't a closed decision."