The Department of Infrastructure's decision to give the go ahead to a controversial waste treatment plant in Co Antrim has raised serious questions about the role of the civil service in the absence of a democratically elected minister.
This move also puts into sharp focus the political vacuum that exists in Northern Ireland, with no devolved structures, no direct rule and officials essentially keeping the wheels of government turning.
It is a deeply unsatisfactory situation and clearly while the main parties continue to talk, we need to ensure public services do not grind to a halt.
However, it is one thing to continue the policies and decisions that had already been determined by the previous executive and assembly.
It is quite another to sign off on a major development which has been the subject of considerable public and political opposition.
The proposed arc21 waste management scheme at Hightown Quarry near Glengormley will have an incinerator which will handle black bin rubbish from six council areas across the north.
Local residents are concerned about the location of the facility in terms of potential health risks as well as other issues.
The scheme was turned down in 2015 by then environment minister Mark H Durkan and arc21 then turned to the Planning Appeals Commission, which recommended that planning permission is granted.
The Department of Infrastructure agreed, saying it was `in the public interest to take this decision, without further delay, given the strategic importance of the project for the region.'
Given that this matter has been under consideration for several years, it is not clear why it could not have waited a little while longer while the talks continue on the restoration of the executive.
Are we now to expect that other contentious or sensitive matters will be actioned by civil servants while devolution is in limbo?
While they have an important job to do, civil servants are not elected, nor are they accountable in the same way as politicians and we cannot lose sight of that.
