The DUP has accused the First and Deputy First Ministers of wasting over £70,000 of taxpayers' money on a "fruitless trip" to the United States. Mr David Trimble and Mr Seamus Mallon briefed President Clinton on the peace process during the four-day visit last month.
They also visited various US government departments in an attempt to forge closer links with Washington. Mr Clinton dropped a strong hint that he would visit the North later this year.
In a written answer to the DUP yesterday, Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon disclosed that their travel and accommodation costs for the trip were £41,934. Costs for eight accompanying officials and advisers were £33,592.
The DUP claimed a growing division between the two over police reform was evident during the trip when they gave separate briefings to US politicians. "It was a PR disaster," Mr Ian Paisley jnr said. "Given the mixed message on policing, this money has been badly spent. There is growing public disquiet about this gross extravagance by the Executive and it must end."
Meanwhile, Mr Mallon accused the DUP of adopting an "ourselves alone" attitude in their contact with other administrations. DUP ministers have not attended North-South Ministerial Council meetings.
However, Mr Mallon said they had also not yet met their ministerial counterparts from England, Scotland or Wales. "Indeed, from the DUP ministerial office, one could say that the point of view that they hold is truly on the basis of `Ourselves Alone'."
In a debate on the retail industry, the Assembly was told that out-of-town superstores posed a "catastrophic threat" to rural economies and the social fabric of life in the North.
SDLP MLA Mr John Dallat claimed the stores, constructed by multinationals, destroyed business in town centres and in small, family-run shops, and were inconvenient for the elderly and those without cars.
He proposed that a moratorium be placed on proposed major supermarket developments to prevent a monopoly taking hold. Mr Dallat said the out-of-town superstores also posed environmental and traffic problems and he called for an independent assessment of the impact of proposed stores on neighbouring towns.
The motion was defeated by 39 votes to 33.