Missed steps to sharing power

THE British and Irish Governments’ document mapped out hour by hour and month by month a timetable of exactly who should do exactly what and when, but by the time it was published it was clear Northern Ireland had again missed the political boat.

By 6pm last night both the DUP and Sinn Féin should have confirmed their agreement to the plan.

At the same time General John de Chastelain’s decommissioning body (IICD) would have confirmed it had made fresh contact with the IRA’s representative and decommissioning would be completed by end of month.