Allowances for office costs, food and travel at the North's Assembly are to come under the microscope, it was announced today.

Sinn Féin has hinted that it may seek to ban unionist symbols from Stormont after a refusal to allow an event celebrating the life of IRA member Mairead Farrell.

Sinn Fein demands for equality of symbols and emblems at Stormont would lead to memorials celebrating IRA violence, it was claimed tonight.

A row has erupted in the Stormont assembly about a proposed pay rise, taking members wages to about £45,000 (€73,000) a year.