SECRETARY of State Karen Bradley has said she is "aware of concerns" about policy decisions being made by senior civil servants in the absence of a Stormont executive.
The interim head of the civil service David Sterling has said there is a lack of clarity on the issue following the High Court's reversal of planning approval for a waste-burning power plant at Mallusk near Belfast.
Mr Sterling had warned that events such as the North West 200, where road closures are normally authorised by a minister, could now be at risk.
"I'm well aware of the concerns, well aware of the problems," she told the BBC.