North deadline - May be now or never for assembly

Previous deadlines in relation to the North may have been rather like moveable feasts, but November 24, as set down by both the Irish and British Governments for the restoration of devolved government, may not be quite as mutable.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Prime Minister Tony Blair discussed the peace process at Chequers yesterday and finalised arrangements for talks with the political parties at St Andrews in Scotland next month.

Despite DUP leader Ian Paisley being sceptical about the possibility of restoring the Stormont assembly by the November deadline, all the parties will be cognisant of the fact that there are some extraneous factors currently at play in the scenario.

Mr Blair’s tenure as prime minister is tenuous, and he can look forward to 12 months at the most, although it could be a considerably shorter period.

His commitment to the process may not be matched by Gordon Brown, his putative successor.

Mr Ahern’s attention will be distracted in large measure by the looming General Election, and while both men have been totally engaged with the Good Friday agreement, it cannot be all-consuming.