Alliance Party leader Naomi Long has said she has never in her 20 years of politics felt "more depressed and dispirited" with the state of affairs in Northern Ireland than this week.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Ms Long was highly critical of the Democratic Unionist Party over its refusal to agree to a two-week extension to the current Covid-19 restrictions in the North.
Ms Long said it was "shameful and embarrassing" to witness the tactics being played out as the Executive tries to govern in the middle of a pandemic.
Restrictions on hospitality businesses in Northern Ireland, which were due to end at midnight tonight, were extended after a lengthy political wrangle.