The UK Unionist Party leader, Mr Robert McCartney, has accused the UUP and the SDLP of "distributing jobs for the boys" and attempting to accumulate the spoils of devolution.
Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday, Mr McCartney, MLA for North Down, also accused the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, of rewarding party members loyal to his leadership with appointments to four new North-South advisory boards.
He criticised the First Minister, Mr Trimble, and the Deputy First Minister, Mr Mallon, for the appointment of junior ministers from their respective parties who have both been assigned to work in the central office.
According to Mr McCartney the two parties effectively control the executive. "The distributing of patronage and the organising of those on the payroll are part and parcel of the means by which executives in every country control their legislatures."
He also stressed that an amendment tabled by Mr Trimble and Mr Mallon, which was passed during the sitting, reduced the scope of a proposed Assembly scrutiny committee established to examine the work of the central office.
"If those at the very centre of power can, by this amendment, exclude matters from the scrutiny of the Assembly and of its committees . . . the members' function is thereby diminished."
Mr McCartney added: "Why are members here? Are they really here to be lobby fodder for the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister?"