Mark Devenport succinctly pulls together the apparently irreconcilable ends of our Gordian Knot. Peter Robinson: “It does not matter what timetable is in existence because, when it comes to an end, the question for us will be exactly the same – have our criteria been met? “If they have not, we will not go into government, no matter what the timetable might dictate.” Gerry Adams: “…there is no point in the governments withdrawing proposals [shadow Assembly] a month ago and then repackaging the same proposals and trying to represent them as something else.” Devenport notes wryly, ‘it could be a political train wreck’. Or it could be a nice little fudge, with much fuss at the beginning, and a lot more at the end of an initial trial period. Anyone for council elections in 2008?
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
