Peace process - Hopes raised for elections in the North

Too often in the past when the word “optimism” was used to describe developments in Northern Ireland, hopes were dashed.

But the ongoing discussions between Sinn Féin and the Ulster Unionist Party would seem to indicate that the climate is improving enough to at least open up the possibility of elections before Christmas.

There are still serious issues to be resolved on all sides before such a positive development can occur.