And so the end is near….

AND so the end is near, but this Assembly term may not be facing the final curtain.

You see regrets, there’s been a few, and of rows in the chamber, we were certain.

We’ve enjoyed education fights, argued over walking on every highway.

But more, much more than this…they might have to stay!

With apologies to Mr Sinatra, just when our MLAs thought they were skipping town for the summer recess, it seems that the final curtain is not to be drawn over the summer term at Parliament Buildings. And it all comes down to money.

It seems that with all the talk of tight fiscal rounds, cutbacks and facing the global economic downturn the bean counters in the government departments have managed not to spend huge wads of taxpayer’s money.

And so, the Executive is set to agree to a special sitting on Tuesday for all the MLAs to gather round and have a good natter about what to do with the cash.

Of course, rumours that the expenses to be claimed by MLAs for attending an extra sitting will help hoover up the extra cash are entirely unfounded. Although it is a fair bet that amidst the welter of bids for pet projects, dealing with swine flu, may have first call on any extra money. And Health Minister McGimpsey will be the first in line.