Stormont stalemate embarrassing during US visit - Beattie
Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie has said it is embarrassing that a major US trade delegation is taking place while Northern Ireland has no government.
He was speaking after a business breakfast involving MLAs and the US trade envoy Joe Kennedy III on Thursday.
Mr Beattie said some members of the delegation have asked him when businesses in Northern Ireland will start to see politicians as irrelevant.
He said he believes devolution will be restored, but wishes that was the case now.