Image caption, The health minister accepted an independent body's recommendation of a 3.5% pay uplift but it cannot be given without a budget ByJohn Campbell Economics and business editor, BBC News NI Published 4 minutes ago The Northern Ireland Executive is now seven months into the financial year without a budget.
One of the remarkable things about this situation is the relatively muted practical impacts.
Public sector managers have adapted to emergency budget procedures; the money still flows, services are delivered, wages are paid.
But this week real consequences began to emerge as hospital doctors ran out of patience and announced two strikes next month.
The lack of a Stormont budget means the doctors cannot be given the 3.5% pay uplift which was recommended by an independent body and accepted by the health minister.
Elsewhere in the UK doctors have had that extra 3.5% in their pay packets since April.
