To ask the Minister of Finance to detail the status of discussions with HM Treasury concerning granting of borrowing powers to the Executive for revenue expenditure.

At this stage my focus, along with the Scottish and Welsh Finance Ministers, is to press Treasury for further flexibilities to allow the Executive to manage within the overall budget envelope provided to us – these include the ability to transfer Capital to Resource should the need arise as well as increased flexibility to carry forward unspent funding.

I am however in favour a comprehensive examination of the Executive’s fiscal powers, as has been conducted in Scotland and Wales.