Despite warning of `profound and serious implications' if the political parties failed to reach a deal by last Thursday's deadline, secretary of state James Brokenshire's strategy appears to be simply allowing the talks to limp on.
Mr Brokenshire could have ordered another election or introduced a version of direct rule but chose not to do so when he made a statement to the House of Commons yesterday.
Instead he has given the parties more time to reach agreement but there is absolutely no sense that we are on the verge of a breakthrough and with the marching season due to reach its climax next week, it is hard to imagine the fraught atmosphere will improve.
In reality, Mr Brokenshire has few options available and clearly wants to avoid direct rule, which could last for a considerable period, or call another election which is likely to produce the same outcome as the last snap assembly election in March.
He has said he will legislate to authorise civil servants to allocate funds to the various Stormont departments in the absence of devolved structures although we have not yet reached that stage.
The lack of agreement and the vacuum that exists around locally accountable government in Northern Ireland is deeply frustrating for everyone who wishes to see a fully functioning power-sharing administration in place.
People are rightly concerned about funding for the health service, for education and community groups with a genuine fear that jobs will be lost in the weeks and months ahead.
One of the key issues left in limbo by the collapse of the executive is the recommendation to provide compensation to the victims of historical institutional abuse.
In a poignant interview in this paper yesterday, one of those victims, terminally-ill Billy McConville, son of murdered mother-of-ten Jean McConville, pleaded with politicians to sort out their differences.
Sadly, time is something Mr McConville does not have but he has sent out a powerful message on behalf of victims and the wider public.
Political leaders should take heed.
