The arrests of high profile republicans has again plunged Stormont into uncertainty with the DUP threatening to walk away unless the Assembly is adjourned or suspended.
Peter Robinson issued his ultimatum following the arrests of Sinn Fein's northern chairman Bobby Storey, Brian Gillen and Eddie Copeland early yesterday by police investigating the murder of former IRA prisoner Kevin McGuigan.
While this development undoubtedly causes difficulties for Sinn Fein, it is hard to see why it necessitated an immediate DUP threat to pull down the institutions.
What it does look like is a move by a party that feels outmanoeuvred by the Ulster Unionists and is now seeking a way to regain the upper hand.
Indeed, it was telling that at the start of a statement on a matter of grave importance involving murder and the future of the devolved government, Mr Robinson chose to have a swipe at the UUP.
Certainly the timing of the arrests, on the first day of talks aimed at keeping Stormont in business following the PSNI assertion that members of the Provisional IRA were involved in the murder of Mr McGuigan, could not be regarded as helpful.
However, there was no secret about the names being linked to this matter or that this case could involve some with a direct connection to Sinn Fein.
Mr Robinson acknowledged this on Monday when he said, ``we believe that the association with Sinn Fein is much greater than that so far revealed.''
On Tuesday Sky News reported that detectives investigating the killing were set to question unnamed senior IRA members who are close to Sinn Fein.
So the arrests should not have come as such a shock to the DUP that it required the immediate suspension of the institutions.
Yet here we are again, our power-sharing administration on the brink of collapse.
In the circumstances adjournment, while far from ideal, would at least provide some breathing space.
However, it is hard to be optimistic in what is becoming an increasingly toxic atmosphere.
