Devolved government restored

Dr John Reid: At one with the Irish government

The Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid has, as expected, signed an order this afternoon restoring devolved government from midnight tonight.

That gives another six weeks before the assembly must appoint a new first minister - in effect another six weeks for the government to get agreement to its settlement package.

That is the theory. But since most of the detailed negotiations are at an end, and the big outstanding issue remains the decommissioning of IRA weapons, the prospects for the next six weeks are looking increasingly bleak.

David Ervine: We're on familiar territory

This morning the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Dr John Reid, expressed the government's continued optimisim after a meeting held to discuss whether to lift the suspension. Up until this point, the Irish foreign minister Brian Cowan, had been reluctant to fully back Dr Reids actions.

But speaking to reporters on the steps of Hillsborough Castle after what he called a "fruitful" meeting with Mr Cowan, Dr Reid said he hoped the suspension of the political insitutions would give all parties some time for reflection.

As far as Sinn Fein is concerned, the Secretary of State's decision to suspend political institutions is seen as a capitulation to the Ulster Unionist demands, and has inflicted damage on the Good Friday peace agreement itself.

Sinn Fein's Bairbre De Bruin told us that Dr Reid's decision would only encourage "greater instability" in Northern Ireland.

Her sentiments were echoed by David Ervine from the Progressive Unionist Party, close to loyalist paramilitaries. He believes the suspension could easily do more harm than good. To hear more of this interview please click on the audio button at the top of the page.