The DUP deputy leader said he was taking the action to ensure the allocation of money to government departments proceeds.

He was due to make a statement to the Assembly this week on the quarterly monitoring round – the Department of Finance's roundup of unspent departmental cash, which it re-distributes to other areas.

This was postponed because the Executive has not met to clear his statement.

It then emerged that £50 million was locked in the system: £15 million for social housing, £5 million each for education and health, and funds for agriculture and other projects.

The only way to free this cash up is to request urgent procedure, which is the mechanism by which ministers can agree, in an emergency, to a decision, without holding an Executive meeting.

Mr Dodds said: "By intervening in this manner and using the urgent procedures of the Northern Ireland Assembly I am determined that these valuable resources are not held up in going to their intended recipients.

"This is a far from ideal situation to be in as such matters need to be decided around the Executive table with the four parties working together in order to maximise the benefits of these resources to the people of Northern Ireland."

He added: "Sinn Fein's continued refusal to attend meetings of the Northern Ireland Executive is creating an abnormal political situation – government by urgent procedure is not what people want to see in these trying times, but we have been left with no choice. I now I speak for my colleagues in the Executive when I urge an end to these destructive and harmful tactics."

The DUP deputy leader said people would "note the irony of a political party that for years demanded partnership government refusing to make the four-party partnership Executive at Stormont work properly".

Sinn Fein continues to block Executive meetings, in the deadlock over policing and justice and other issues, and complaining that the DUP will not treat it as an equal partner.

The DUP believes discussions over issues dividing the parties should take place parallel to normal government business being dealt with.

Sinn Fein has accused the DUP of playing politics with the £50 million which it noted could have been freed up, by urgent procedure, without any great fuss.