Stormont stalemate - Yet another deadline for power sharing

IF there is anything consistent on the political landscape of Northern Ireland, it is the incidence of deadlines and their passing without achieving their objective.

Once again Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday travelled to Belfast to impress upon the parties the urgency of another one.

They stressed the importance of arriving at a deal on power-sharing by November 24 next if there is to be any progress in the peace process and the normalisation of the North.