Opinion

Essential that devolved structures are restored as quickly as possible

FIRST minister Peter Robinson, in yet another intervention which was intended to look decisive but ended up rebounding on him, said on October 29 that there would be no agreement in the Stormont talks process if an outcome was not reached within ten days.

Mr Robinson's deadline inevitably came and went yesterday without any sign of a breakthrough, but the DUP leader is still looking for some form of deal with the two governments and the other main Assembly parties.

There are indications that financial incentives may allow a consensus to be reached, with the Dublin administration having already offered over £400m for infrastructure projects and David Cameron being pressed to provide further funding during Downing Street discussions on Friday.

With Mr Robinson widely believed to be preparing the way for his retirement, it is quite possible that an economic package will emerge just in time for the DUP to claim a triumph at its annual conference later this month.

However, while resources are always important, it is even more essential that the basic credibility of our devolved structures should be restored as quickly as possible.

Stormont has come to be regarded by many observers as a gravy train for cynical politicians who concentrate on predictable disputes over flags and parades but contribute almost nothing in terms of constructive legislation on behalf of the entire community.

While some MLAs on both sides of the divide strive to maintain standards, others resort to stereotypes at every opportunity and display no interest in developing the cross-community understandings which are vital if lasting progress is to be made.

Ordinary voters particularly do not understand why the appalling murder of Kevin McGuigan earlier this year could somehow be regarded as more politically unacceptable than the equally dreadful killings of Bobby Moffett in 2010 and Paul Quinn in 2007.

There is little point in reviving our structures after the disastrous in-out antics of the last two months if all we achieve is a return to the tedious pattern of one stalemate after another which has caused so much frustration over recent years.

The option of direct rule from Westminster accompanied by a strong element of joint authority with Dublin is increasingly coming into view if all our elected representatives cannot display both maturity and responsibility over the coming days.