Political structures stand as towers fall

By Mark Devenport BBC Northern Ireland political editor

Despite the failure to reach a deal with the IRA, Army engineers began work demolishing two watchtowers in south Armagh on Friday.

The move showed the government's readiness to reduce security, as far as the level of threat will allow.

It provided a very visible signal that - in the context of an agreement - more radical steps will follow.

Unionists believe dismantling the posts is premature, while republicans argue it's not enough.

Given the dangerous subsidence now threatening the political process, some members of the public may wonder why the demolition squads are not to be sent on to Stormont.

There they could start dismantling the offices used by the 108 former assembly members.

MLA salaries halved while assembly remains empty

An entirely unscientific telephone poll carried out by BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme showed that more than 93% of callers believed that, with the postponement of the assembly elections, local politicians should not be paid to keep their Stormont seats warm.

If he wanted immediate popular acclaim, Secretary of State Paul Murphy could easily slash payments to the former MLAs.

Not only do the voters support that, but two of the main parties, the DUP and Sinn Fein, have argued that no electoral mandate should equal no salary.

However, the government is reluctant to pull down the political architecture it has spent so much time erecting, no matter how obvious the cracks in the facade.

The argument is that if you cut all salaries and allowances, the politicians and their support staff, or at any rate those who don't have other jobs or independent means, would have no choice but to shuffle off the stage.

Then where would the government be if it did manage to restore devolution?

Politically, winding up the Stormont system could also be interpreted as giving up on the Good Friday Agreement.

Unionists say dismantling the posts is premature, while republicans say it's not enough

Instead, the legislation which officially postpones the assembly elections will set up a scheme which will continue to pay former MLAs until they have to face the electorate, whenever that may be.

The government says the costs of these salaries and allowances could be anything up to £800,000 per month, although officials indicate this is very much a maximum figure.

With MLAs expected to receive only half their full salary, or roughly £21,000 per year, the real pay out may be far less than that.

However, there is also the compensation for our one-week wonder of an aborted election campaign to bear in mind.

Ticking over

The government has estimated those costs could reach up to £4m.

Senior politicians believe that is also a maximum figure, which may be double the real cost.

Nevertheless, it all adds up to a pretty penny, just to keep the system ticking over.

Voters, callers to the Talkback programme, and those recently made redundant from the Northern Ireland textile firm Desmonds might all conclude that the cost of maintaining this government-in-waiting is scandalous.

However, they have little choice but to fulminate to themselves.

Although Sinn Fein has called for a June election, and the DUP will try to persuade parliament that 26 June is the best date for a fresh poll, the government's latest legislation has avoided any target date.

Therefore, like young offenders, Northern Ireland's voters will remain detained for the foreseeable future at the Secretary of State's pleasure.