NI: Is suspension the right move?

The Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended at midnight on Sunday for the fourth time since devolution began in the province.

Announcing the suspension, Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid says it has come about as a result of a lack of confidence and trust on both sides of the community.

The latest crisis was caused by allegations of IRA intelligence gathering inside the Northern Ireland Office.

Power over the province will return to Westminster. It is unclear when power will be restored to Stormont.

Is suspension the right move for the province in the current political climate? What next for the institutions of Northern Ireland?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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Your reaction

As a Sinn Fein supporter I am delighted by what Tony Blair has done. Every time Blair has pandered to the infantile demands of the Unionists he has only succeeded in alienating Nationalists, weakening the SDLP vote and increasing the Sinn Fein vote. I can't wait until the next election to see how many more seats Sinn Fein will win.
Diarmid Logan, USA

The government's actions are hypocritical. They call for an international stand against terrorism but yet at their back door they allow Sinn Fein / IRA to bring down devolution. So stand up to them, Tony Blair, and expel Sinn Fein.
Ralph, N. Ireland

It's time to go back to the drawing board

Bernard, UK

No, suspension is not right - total dissolution would be. The entire assembly is founded on the deeply flawed Good Friday agreement. The agreement has no realistically enforceable milestones for the parties to move forward, which means both sides can get away with twisting the intention. In practice the unionists have had to swallow many concessions while watching the republicans get away with murder. Peace is still the goal, but the current agreement has no realistic chance of delivering this. It's time to go back to the drawing board and forge a new agreement learning from the many mistakes of this one. Let's see if the two sides would sign up to a peace agreement that actually made them prove their commitment rather than just give lip service to it.
Bernard, UK

I think that it is really sad that this has happened. The assembly has given so much hope to so many back home, and I think it's the wrong decision. We all have responsibilities to work at the problems and especially the 'so called' politicians. Just get on with it, life is too short.
Eugene Cooke, England

From a Nationalist point of view I believe that Sinn Fein have many questions to answer, as do the police after their appalling raid that (to quote Hugh Orde) was not necessary. I believe that the crisis has been developing for some time... Both the UUP and DUP have maintained a negative approach to the working of the Assembly. I believe that people should be calm during this crisis, elections should be delayed until everything is sorted out. This, however, does not involve renegotiating around the table. A monumental effort is required by all political parties to save this important institution from collapse.
Beth, Belfast

How dare they play political games with our future?

Virginia, Northern Ireland

I feel frustrated, angry and let down by the NI politicians. They have all failed. If the Assembly does not get on it's feet again and continue the good work, how do they think history will judge the lot of them? Pathetically. How dare they play political games with our future? It's all the hope we have left.
Virginia, N. Ireland

The great thing about the Agreement is that it belongs to the people. The only way to keep this agreement in place is for Nationalists to vote the SDLP and for Unionists to vote the UUP. Anyone who votes for Sinn Fein or for the DUP are only voting for the eventual destruction of any peace in Northern Ireland. The sooner the people realise this the sooner there will be permanent peace. DUP will not retain Northern Ireland as it was, and Sinn Fein will not bring about a United Ireland by themselves alone.
Damien, Northern Ireland

Let us not forget, this crisis is the direct consequence of the Republican movement's total failure to honour their part of The Agreement, and in continuing to play politics. Suspension was the only option, regrettably it punishes all the players in the process, not least the long suffering people of NI who had got used to locally accountable government.
Mark Russell, Chorleywood, Herts, UK

Suspension is clearly not the right move

Anny, Ulster

Suspension is clearly not the right move. These allegations have been made - and instantly unionists speak about a loss of trust. However I say there was actually no trust to be lost, it came in handy for them. Security and media are making a big issue out of something - and many people believe it's true. I am not convinced. It was a clever move by the Loyalist-controlled security forces, the right move at the right time. It's a question of manipulating people's opinions. Republican forces have been led to believe that some sort of change might happen. They have been led to trust as far as that was possible. That was misguided and I hope it will not happen again.
Anny, Ulster

As somebody who has been directly affected by the "documents likely to be used by terrorists" I completely uphold the decision to suspend the Northern Ireland government, we cannot risk the lives of Northern Ireland civil servants for the sake of the word of two men who used to be active members of the organisation responsible for the current suspension.
A Smith, UK

I'm appalled that the Assembly is being dissolved. Although Sinn Fein in the past has shown that it has a tendency to back the IRA, including some of the extremists within that group, the blame this time must fall with the Unionists. The Unionists have never wanted to compromise and were opposed to power-sharing in the first place. Though I am a Protestant, I'm an intelligent Protestant who is in favour of a united, free Ireland, but it is clear that the only way to achieve this is to remove the Ulster Unionist Party from the Assembly, since they want peace to fail to protect their own interests.
Andrew Smith, USA

I agree that Unionists have reason to be suspicious, but Mr. Trimble has been fishing for reasons to have the assembly suspended and Sinn Fein ousted for a long time. Meanwhile, nothing is being done about street violence in Belfast. The peace process is a two way street, and it seems like Mr. Trimble is trying to take control of the road, and not even let Sinn Fein on.
Brian, USA

Why not make Northern Ireland an independent state in its own right and then subject it to direct rule from Brussels - just like the rest of us?
Phil, UK

The only answer to Northern Ireland's problems is for the people to leave their bigotry behind. The political process is utterly meaningless until the people change their own hearts and minds. What is happening in the Assembly can only reflect what is happening in the community. God help them all.
Matthew, France (British)

I find it extremely pathetic that the political parties in Northern Ireland cannot sit together and work to bring peace and stability to that troubled region of Ireland. The Unionists seem to be looking for excuses to bring the Good Friday agreement down now that they realise that sharing power with Nationalist/Catholics means that they can't get everything their own way! Suspending the agreement has only played in to the hands of the more extreme political parties who ultimately feed on the fear and anger this suspension will create. What do the Unionists and Nationalists lose from talking about their problems. Turning away from them will yet again only create division.
Sean, Scotland

"War on Terrorism" - well, kind of. If Tony Blair and George Bush applied the same rules to the IRA as they do to Al-Qaeda then we might be in a better situation here.
David, Belgium

Surely everybody in Northern Ireland should be working for peace and democracy in the province. Surely trying to exclude a group that represents the second largest sectarian group is contrary to the democratic principles the assembly is supposed to be representing
Jez, England

It is about time the NI politicians showed some courage and compromised and worked together. Sinn Fein was misguided but the whole world knows that the Unionists were just looking for an excuse to bring down the Assembly. Neither side seems to have a vision of a united people working together for the benefit of all of N Ireland. The leaders are little men fighting over the little power they possess. It is truly pathetic.
Tim Swain, Wales

The "troubles" are a major industry, profitable for many. Sad to visit, often, and I wish better for my friends in that beautiful island.
Jeff, USA

Irrespective of what you think of Sinn Fein, the are part of the assembly through democratic process. No matter what intelligence is gathered, it will be of no use if this democratic process is upheld. The Unionists are simply not willing to forsake their generations of power. Why do they never mention the ceasefire of the Loyalist groups? Or rather what ceasefire!
Jim, UK

How does Gerry Adams believe that Sinn Fein IRA can ignore the rule of law and maintain democratic legitimacy? He seems to be saying that regardless of how the party behaves, the Good Friday agreement excuses it.
Daniel, England

It's all very well to offer up feeble and generalised remarks like, "these people are supposed to be grown-ups". I'm certain terrorists would not be allowed into power in Westminster, but yet Northern Ireland is forced to live with it. Only the very naive could have thought this would ever have worked in the first place.
Julie Smyth, UK, formerly N. Ireland

I am only somewhat surprised that the British Government is still pandering to Unionist tactics - but still saddened by it. The only way to take the gun out of NI politics is to incorporate all parties and make the political process successful. Constantly derailing the process will simply convince those who feel that violence is the only way to achieve results - that they are right. Someday the Brits will have to stand up to the Unionists, I wonder when they will do it?
Margaret, Canada

The current British govt is plagued by a problem created by a former one. Britain is not what it was in the 1920s when it could meddle in the destiny of other countries. Northern Ireland is an anachronism, the result of plantation and gerrymandering (manipulating political boundaries). The British government should recognize this and set a very clear agenda, with their Dublin counterparts, for the reunification of Ireland. Until this is done, they will continue to be mired in tribal politics.
Mark, UK

Remove their debating arena and remove all possibilities of peace

David Howe, UK

The only way to have peace is to have people talking to each other. Remove their debating arena and remove all possibilities of peace. The government's view is that the Assembly is for peacetime discussions. My view (and clearly that of most of the Assembly members) is that it is for discussions about peacetime first.
David Howe, UK

N. Ireland has politicians chained to their divided history. Why not call a fresh election to the Assembly and only permit those under 40 to stand?
Suzanne Stockman, France

My wife and I returned to Northern Ireland in 1996 at the end of our university courses in Scotland. We saw hope at that time, but we are now reaching the end of our patience with the peace process here. It is not, in our opinion, the agreement which is flawed but the intransigence of our elected leaders. At each opportunity, they play politics with our future for their own gain. They stir disappointment into anger and anger into outrage. They are breeding the same old brand of disillusionment and fear because without it their days as leaders are numbered.
Christopher Boomer, N. Ireland

Having read the many points of view regarding the suspension of our assembly, it is apparent that some people are missing the crux of the present situation...Sinn Fein's political espionage. Why destroy our chance of democracy to suit the goals of Republican terrorism? The exclusion of Sinn Fein is the only option for the British Government.
David, N. Ireland

I come from a multi-cultural community, where Muslims, Jews, Christians and atheists live and work alongside each other. It amazes me therefore that the Catholics and Protestants of Northern Ireland, who have comparatively minor differences, can not live and work in harmony with each other. What a sad world we live in.
Paul, Cambridge, UK

Both sets of hard line supporters can claim bad faith

James, UK

It appears that the hard line unionists were looking for any evidence of republican bad intentions as the pretext to back out of the power sharing agreements. Unfortunately it looks like the republicans were devious enough to give it to them. In doing so both sets of hard line supporters can claim bad faith on the other side and they probably feel highly self-satisfied. Pity the majority who were benefiting from the agreement aren't considered in any of this. Their interests must prevail for the power sharing to succeed.
James, UK

It annoys me that the elected representatives of the NI community are allowed to abandon their responsibilities to the people who elected them. The NI assembly should not be suspended, in fact I believe the best thing for all is for the British and Irish governments to both recognise NI as an independent state, the people would then have no choice but to elect representatives that will take the job of running a country seriously.
Dave, England

I agree with Dave from England. NI should be an independent state. This would push the politicians, to sit down and get to the bottom of more serious issues, such as the useless health system and the lack of a decent infrastructure system. It would also solve the answer to the question "Where are you from Ireland or Britain?". They don't understand when you say "The Future Independent State of NI".
Alistair, Austria, NI-expat

Now is the time for the British government to right the wrongs created by the 1920 Government of Ireland Act. A timescale for Irish reunification should be established. There is no political or economic reason for Great Britain to remain as an occupying force in the six counties.
Jonathan Pringle, Sunderland, UK

I can't understand why the government is not acting strongly with Sinn Fein in the light of what has happened. After all look what Blair and Bush are doing with Saddam Hussein. We in Britain have lost many over the years yet the ones responsible are rewarded with jobs in government.
Earl, N. Ireland

Victims of the past will not thank the politicians for walking away

Colin, England

Anyone can walk away, but it takes resolve and strength of character to stay and keep trying for peace. The politicians owe this much to the victims of the past, as well as future generations who will not thank them for having walked away.
Colin, England

When the state of NI schools, hospitals and roads become bigger issues than who won the Battle of the Boyne, then perhaps NI will see peace. But seeing the endless round of marches and riots, I fear that day is some way off. Sadly both sides appear to have more to gain from the failure of the process and the perpetuation of the Unionist/UK vs. Republican struggle rather than being held responsible for the state of Northern Ireland's essential public services.
Ian, UK

I'm just sick of people trying to justify violence because of some political grievance. There should be majority rule in NI, elected representatives should work together as much as possible, but not get stroppy if they get out-voted, and people found in possession of guns, bombs, or information they shouldn't have should be tried in a court of law and punished if found guilty of a crime. So if someone's broken the law in this case, let's take them to court. Everyone else should keep their toys in the pram.
Jenny, UK

A little maturity is sorely needed in Northern Irish politics

Gordon Cosgrove, USA

No Sinn Fein, no assembly. The Unionist parties have never come to terms with that fact. If they don't want the assembly then they should walk out, irrespective of what Sinn Fein has done. A little maturity is sorely needed in Northern Irish politics.
Gordon Cosgrove, USA

Continuing the assembly is the only way ahead and Tony Blair needs to put his foot down and not let one minority of the British electorate as a whole, the Ulster Unionists, endanger peace.
David, UK

The British government should not expel Sinn Fein, nor suspend the executive. If the UUP ministers resign then fresh elections should be held. The British and Irish governments should then make it crystal clear that solving the problems of Northern Ireland is the still the responsibility of the newly elected assembly.
Ewan Slater, England

Power must be shared by Unionists and Republicans alike, but there should be no place in Stormont for those aiding terrorists - no matter which side they're on. Let the SDLP become the major voice for Republicans. The last thing Northern Ireland needs is a party which nurtures and feeds terrorism.
Andrew, Scotland

It's time to get tough with Sinn Fein

Alan, England

Sinn Fein will never change. It's obvious now that they have never been committed to the peace process. It's time to get tough with them.
Alan, England

I'm from Belfast and was there during the troubles. I think the police should search Ian Paisley's office in Stormont as his group is the main source of trouble. Sinn Fein should be part of Stormont. Catholics need civil rights.
Nelson Milne, USA

In response to Nelson Milne: Catholics do have civil rights here - it took a while to safeguard so stop trying to perpetuate the myth that we're all still downtrodden. I work hard for what I have achieved and I don't need anyone to feel sorry for me, or assume that I have fewer rights than my Protestant neighbours. As for the assembly crisis, I have very little time for Sinn Fein (they are chancers, and as bitter and bigoted as the DUP on a lot of issues), but much as I might dislike it, they have a significant mandate and therefore cannot simply be dispatched from the assembly without their supporters arguing that their votes don't matter.
Liz Haren, USA/Ireland

The unionists are playing politics with other people's lives

Molly, Scotland

Are the unionists really as short-sighted as their behaviour indicates? Prior to the GFA, sections of the NI community could claim that the usual democratic channels were not available to them, and that's how the paramilitaries justified their recourse to violence. Don't the unionist "spoilers" realise that if the republican movement is forcibly excluded from government, they can claim once again that they have no meaningful access to democratic means and the principles underpinning the republican ceasefire will be seriously in question? The unionists are playing politics with other people's lives.
Molly, Scotland

Do people not understand that no matter what Sinn Fein do they are democratically elected into government by the people? Why do Unionist politicians insist on threatening to bring down the Stormont government by excluding Sinn Fein? You will never have peace until Unionists accept that power must be shared with Sinn Fein.
Alastair, US

If Sinn Fein have been caught with their fingers in the till they should pay the price

PR, UK

Alastair, US says that no matter what Sinn Fein do they are democratically elected, as if the fact of being elected is a "catch all" for any kind of behaviour. Well Alastair, politicians are not above the law. It's only politicians (and you) that seem to think they are. If Sinn Fein have been caught with their fingers in the till they should pay the price. Based on all their machinations since the GFA, this is hardly a far fetched concept.
PR, UK

I find it appalling that Sinn Fein is even considered for the NI Assembly. The recent raids on Stormont only appear to confirm the suspected links between Sinn Fein and the IRA. Boot them out of the assembly and then we can really call it a peace process.
Mark, Belfast, NI

Since the DUP have withdrawn from the assembly - stop paying them and see how long they stay away!
Richard, N Ireland

I cannot believe that unionists are going to press ahead and abandon power sharing on these trumped up charges. NI is experiencing its most prosperous period in decades and Jeffrey Donaldson is willing to risk this for the sake of his own views. Ridiculous.
Rhodri Jones, UK

Trimble and Adams have failed to provide vision and backbone to the people of Northern Ireland

Brian Shanahan, UK

Trimble and Adams gambled that they could change the political agenda in the North to one that is concerned with economic and social issues rather than bigotry and hate. To some extent they have succeeded and should be given credit. But in base political terms they have failed. They have not provided the vision and backbone to the people of Northern Ireland that will allow them to see beyond Paisley, Donaldson and the other political obstacles. If they truly succeed, then people will vote for the best policies unblemished by creed or violence. But there's a long way to go - and the only alternative is a level of human misery as yet not experienced.
Brian Shanahan, UK

The London government should simply tell Trimble that Stormont is a democratic body, and if he wishes to resign he may do so, but that the institution will remain. If Trimble wishes to have a say in NI's future, he will have to keep his calm, his wits, and his seat. Trimble must understand that SF represents NI as does the UUP.
Llewelyn Thomas, USA

The problem still rests with the British government's pandering to unionist threats

Gerry, UK

The problem still rests with the British government's pandering to unionist threats and their inability to realise that the old order has changed. Not an inch and no surrender are outdated slogans and the unionists have to be told by Britain that they have to subscribe to equality of opportunity for all. Those days are long gone and the reality is that the die-hards on both sides are going to have to recognise the legitimate rights, aspirations and culture of the other side.
Gerry, UK

The nature of politics in Northern Ireland is shambolic. Sinn Fein despite problems have a large mandate, you cannot simply throw out the representatives of huge numbers of people in the north. One man, one vote.
Brian, England

To Brian, England: Yes I know the man you are talking about and yes Tony does have the vote. Seriously though if Sinn Fein wants to stay in government it must separate the party fully from the IRA and mean it.
Nigel, Scotland

Does anyone actually care about what the people of Northern Ireland want or is it all about who gets to be in charge?

Sally, UK

Everyone is getting very tired of the unionists' demands, Sinn Fein's hopscotch and so on. Does anyone actually care about what the people of Northern Ireland want or is it all about who gets to be in charge? These people are supposed to be grown ups!
Sally, UK

The North has never known such prosperity. This is due to the peace process and the GFA in particular. Mr Trimble should remember that and ignore anachronisms like Dr Paisley and opportunists in his own party like Jeffrey Donaldson.
Tony, UK

Why is everyone blaming the unionists? The IRA and their pals are clearly still in the terror business, as demonstrated by the raids. Are the unionists really expecting too much by asking SF to behave democratically? Why is everyone in the UK so aghast at this? People of Britain, take your heads out of the sand!
Anon, Northern Ireland, UK

The overreaction of the unionists does a disservice to all those who depend on the success of the institutions

Mary, UK

It seems that the unionists are more interested in being central actors in a melodrama than in getting on with the ordinary business of inclusive government. The NI institutions have already been suspended repeatedly, and the overreaction of the unionists does a disservice to all those who depend on the success of the institutions. The unionists, with their press-conferences, self-important interviews, and fire-and-brimstone rhetoric, belong in a nineteenth century pulpit, not a modern democratic government.
Mary, UK

Why waste our time and money? It is time the government abandoned both communities and left Ireland to sort itself out.
David, England

Sinn Fein has not had either the strength or the desire to turn its back on the old ways

Phil, UK

If Sinn Fein has been using its position in government to pass sensitive security information to a terrorist organisation then its members should be suspended from government. Sin Fein was given a chance of participating in democracy, even though most people had reservations. Unfortunately it has not had either the strength or the desire to turn its back on the old ways and as such should no longer be considered a democratic organisation.
Phil, UK

There are two fundamental democratic principles that must be observed: The impartiality of the police and the subjection of politicians to the rule of law. To Sinn Fein I say this: A 'democratic mandate' doesn't give anyone the right to break the law. To the police I say this: Make sure you are completely impartial. To the unionists I say this: Wait for the course of justice. If/when these people are jailed, then a by-election surely follows. Only with a by-election can the democratic will of the people be tested.
John Briant, UK

Having just finished university in England it looks like my choice to stay and work here instead of returning to N.I. was a pretty good one. Why would anyone want to go back when its always the same old story. I'm sick of it and I won't be back. The brain drain is alive and well!
Alastair, UK, formerly N.I.

It's difficult to see how true peace can be reached if all sides retain their entrenched views

Bernard, UK

It's a shame to see that despite all the efforts the trouble in Northern Ireland goes on and on. Perhaps its time the politicians up there started to own the problem themselves, it's difficult to see how true peace can be reached if all sides retain their entrenched views and their leaders seem to believe that it's London and Dublin's fault every time they have a disagreement. If I could speak directly to these guys I think I'd say, its your problem Mr Trimble, Mr Adams, Dr Paisley... Solve it yourself and quit running back to mamma every time you disagree.
Bernard, UK

Here we go again. Everyone is rushing around like headless chickens again issuing ultimatum upon ultimatum. Doesn't the concept of innocent until proven guilty apply in UK anymore. That's the same UK that the supposed unionists are so keen to stay a part of.
David, UK

I have known nothing but the troubles in N. Ireland and most people I know from my generation are sick of the petty bickering between people in N. Ireland who think they are real politicians. Things will never get resolved in N. Ireland if people keep looking back to the past. Move forward, look at the changes in N. Ireland since the agreement was signed by ALL. I only despair at what the future may possibly hold. With peace comes sacrifices, do we need to see another 3000+ maimed and murdered by bigots before we gain true peace?
Kieran, N. Ireland

The vast majority of people in Northern Ireland will not accept a return to the troubles

Mark, Northern Ireland

People should be very careful not to abandon the peace process. Northern Ireland's cities and towns are blossoming. They are becoming pleasant places to live and work in. Our relations with the rest of the world have never been better. We can finally get down to the business of eroding the bigotry and bias which has eaten away at us for so long. The vast majority of people in Northern Ireland will not accept a return to the troubles. If our current political leaders can't deliver peace, then we'll find some new ones who can.
Mark, Northern Ireland

So Sinn Fein can't be trusted... well that's hardly news is it?

Neither can the Ulster Unionists or the British and Irish governments or any other politicians if it comes to that. Politicians lie... that's what they do... live with it.
John, England

Without Sinn Fein, there is no peace process - that is the stark reality. If you pull the rug from under the political republicans, then the men of violence will say, 'We told you so'.
Nigel Cooke, England

As a student studying N.I. politics, I feel that something desperately needs to be done to save the peace process of our country. If this means that John Reid must continually suspend the assembly for six weeks at a time until a new assembly election can be called then so be it!!!
Anon, Northern Ireland

Sinn Fein cannot have it both ways

Bruce, England

Sinn Fein cannot have it both ways. They need to commit to exclusively democratic means. Unionists must support the agreement instead of constantly undermining it. If they cannot the UK Government and the Irish Government should jointly administer the area. This should be backed up by a UK wide referendum so that the no men of unionism and republicanism no longer have a veto and the long suffering English taxpayer who subsidises this province with no obvious benefit will be supported by the Irish.
Bruce, England

Bruce from England has it right. NI should be run by the governments of London and Dublin. So long as the British Government pumps billions into NI the unionists will always say no. If they think the Dublin government is helping to run NI they will come running back to the peace table.
Noel Kenny, Canada

From a casual listener's point of view, it does seem that Unionist paramilitary organisations have been responsible for most of the reported terrorist acts since the GFA. This does therefore beg the question as to why the offices of the more extreme Unionist parties aren't also being raided?
Andrew, UK

The peace process will survive, but it is reliant and should be focused on the SDLP and David Trimble's unionists, rather than pandering to the hysterical extremism practised by the DUP and Sinn Fein.
Gerard, UK

I think the world has seen enough for us to learn that evil never reigns no matter what. Isn't there much to gain in peace than in violence? Think about this Sinn Fein/IRA.
Alie Toronka, Sierra Leone

To liken the UUP with Sinn Fein is at best naive and at worst stupid. The UUP is not the political wing of any terrorist organisation. They are democrats. Sinn Fein cannot play at politics whilst feeding their terrorist chums' intelligence gathered at the heart of government. Enough is enough.
Mike Donnelly, UK

The peace process is alive and well and will continue behind closed doors as before. As long as there are two sides an effort will always exist by others to keep them both happy and out of the mainland's hair. There must come a time when intelligent people on both sides no longer wish to find an excuse to kill the other.
R.C. Robjohn, UK

I'm long past caring much anymore. All the politicians are much the same, they say one thing but do another. I don't trust any of them anymore. I'm so ashamed of the behaviour of loyalists, republicans, unionists, nationalists, British and Irish.
Robby, N. Ireland

Northern Ireland is becoming to Britain what Algeria was to France in the 1950s. Sooner or later, the Catholics will become the majority in Ulster, and will vote to re-unite the Island of Ireland. The unionists had better learn to live with it, as most of the rest of us aren't prepared to pay for the cost of their security indefinitely.
Nigel, UK

There has never been a true ceasefire

Gerrard, London, UK

There has never been a true ceasefire. I hope the people of NI put pressure on their respective parties to keep the GFA alive and keep all sides talking. The alternative is more bloody conflict.
Gerrard, London, UK

How can people support the closing of Batasuna offices by the Spanish Government, and then ask why Sinn Fein offices were searched? Both parties have essentially the same end goal: leaving a colonial occupation and joining with their "rightful" country, the other wanting to rid themselves of occupation.
Jason Harrell, Netherlands

This process is not worth saving

Andrew, Yorkshire, UK

This process is not worth saving. It's high time that our government reaffirmed in the strongest possible terms the integral position of Northern Ireland in the Union and stopped pandering to those who want to eat away at it from the inside.
Andrew, Yorkshire, UK

Andrew, Yorkshire: Northern Ireland is only an integral part of the Union whilst the democratic majority want it that way. The day when the majority do not want this is not too far away.
Paul O'Hagan, England

Brought up on stories of the Troubles I never thought I'd see the day a majority from both sides would vote for an agreement that would allow power sharing. Since that day, it seems the hard-line unionists have done everything in their power to wreck the GFA, and depose Trimble. Despite the IRA putting their weapons beyond use, clearly the hard-line Unionists wanted some kind of unconditional, and public surrender, and having been denied the opportunity to rub Sinn Fein's noses in the dirt are behaving like the hypocrites they undoubtedly are.
Paul Tobin, UK

Seeing David Trimble set deadline after deadline has weakened the process too much

Brian, UK

No, the Ulster Unionists will not share power with Sinn Fein. As they come to represent the Nationalist/Republican majority the process which offered so much will end with further disenfranchisement and disillusionment leaving Northern Ireland in a more divided state. Seeing David Trimble set deadline after deadline which the British Government accepts, has weakened the process too much.
Brian, UK

I hope so as it's been great having devolution of power and having had control over our own resources, like money for public transport and so on. Many here really do want the assembly to continue, as it has put Northern Ireland back in the hands of the people of Northern Ireland.
Paul, Northern Ireland