The Alliance Party has submitted a response to the Independent Remuneration Board's consultation on MLA salaries in Northern Ireland.

Alliance acknowledges the board's independence and states that MLAs should not set their own pay levels.

The party holds that salary increases must account for pressures on public finances and match rises for other public sector employees.

Alliance notes public concern over the scale of the proposed pay rise, given slow progress at Stormont and repeated interruptions to devolved government over the past decade.

The party argues that the board's proposed salary reductions for periods when the Assembly and Executive are not functioning fall short. It calls for full suspension of salaries for MLAs from parties that prevent the Assembly from operating, similar to pay stoppages during strike action.

Alliance views the need for such measures as evidence of flaws in the institutions. It calls on the UK and Irish governments to reform the structures to prevent any single party from halting government.