Maginness:sectarianismisrealreasonforNorthernIreland’sdysfunctionalAssembly

Eoin Luinigh: The real reason why they ain’t talking is because they want to wash their hands of universal credit payments. The DUP and Sinn Fein did a deal not to go back to Stormont until after March, when the scheme will be under way.

Maria McGrath: Northern Ireland is like Brexit — it has turned into an absolute mess.

Peader Gearoid O Colgain: Only thing that will change will be the border. It will be in the Irish Sea with a united Ireland at the end of the rainbow.

Mark Jackson: If you think for one second Northern Ireland politicians care about their electorate, you are a fool. If you honestly think that it’s not about the money, I have no kind words. It has always been about the money (under the guise of sectarianism). Of course, both the DUP’s electorate and Sinn Fein’s electorate tend to forget all the broken promises.

John Kelly: Alban’s right — a pay cut probably won’t force them back to work. It would, however, reflect the fact that they are not carrying out their duties in full. In this time of austerity and pay restraint, it is disgraceful MLAs are still receiving full pay for not fulfilling their job requirements.

Bob Storey: Alban is correct to the extent that he recognises pure sectarianism as the driving force of politics here. Neither the DUP nor Sinn Fein want to move away from sectarianism so long as it’s the easiest route to undemocratic power.

Si Richmond: People don’t think a pay cut will work. They are getting paid for doing nothing.

Charlie McConnell:

Alban, better say nowt. The people don’t care if Stormont is ever actually brought back. The people it matters most to were the MLAs and their respective teams and those who benefited from expenses.

Clem O Buadhachain:

The Assembly can work if unionists accept that their Irish neighbours are entitled to be treated on a par with them. It won’t happen because, if unionists concede that their neighbours are equals, then the Union with Britain is over.