DUP attempts to establish a special scrutiny committee to oversee the work of the First and Deputy First Ministers were defeated by a cross-community vote in the Assembly yesterday.
The Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, informed the Initial Presiding Officer, Lord Alderdice, that the Assembly would not be convened again until the week beginning March 29th, when she has indicated that the d'Hondt mechanism for the allocation of ministries would be triggered.
Commenting on his defeated amendment, Mr Peter Robinson, deputy leader of the DUP, said Mr David Trimble and Mr Seamus Mallon "want to deal with their business behind locked doors, in a hole in the corner" and without being under scrutiny.
The DUP amendment was defeated by 57 votes to 29, with 22 unionists voting against.
More than 70 of the 87 amendments tabled on the standing orders report have been forwarded by the DUP.
During the debate, Mr Sean Farran (SDLP, North Antrim) said he wished to dispel any notion that the central office of the First and Deputy First Ministers did not wish to be accountable.
Mr Roy Beggs jnr (UUP, East Antrim) said he could not support the amendment tabled by Mr Robinson as it placed "no boundaries" on the scope of the proposed committee.
According to Mr Joe Byrne (SDLP, West Tyrone), the object of the amendment was to "strangle the performance and effective operation" of the central office, and would "shackle" the First and Deputy First Ministers.
The absence of scrutiny on the central office left a "very black hole", said Mr Peter Weir (UUP, North Down). However, the amendment was "not perfect".
Mr Robert McCartney (UKUP, North Down) urged the setting up of a strong committee system with control over the executive.
Another DUP amendment to a section detailing the appointment of ministers was also defeated during yesterday's proceedings. The party attempted to introduce an amendment whereby they could choose not to take their executive seats immediately after it was formed, but at a later date.