// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Bryant attacks 'irresponsible' Stormont ministers over budget
Sir Chris Bryant also criticised the performance of Stormont ministers
The Northern Ireland Secretary has accused the Stormont executive of having little "financial accountability" while also ruling out 'front-loading' extra money the UK government is proposing to give over the next three years.
The executive has not agreed a budget for this year, blaming the UK's devolution funding formula for leaving it short.
Additional funding of £1.5bn would be released in three tranches with £525m available this year.
One idea being suggested is that a larger chunk of the money could be spent in the first year but Sir Chris Bryant told the BBC that is not on offer.
"There is no front-loading to be done," he told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme.
"I've made it absolutely clear about 17 times now both to members of the executive and to others that there is no additional money beyond the £525m we have set aside for this year."
Bryant also criticised the performance of Stormont ministers.
"There is very little financial accountability or responsibility across the whole of the executive," the NI Secretary said.
"That's abnormal. There's no local council anywhere in the UK that doesn't have to bring in a balanced budget. That's what the executive is going to have to do."