A prominent critic of the North's powersharing government has attempted to upset the current political feel-good factor as Northern Ireland politicians yesterday took stock of 100 days of devolution.
While First Minister, the Rev Ian Paisley, and Sinn Féin Assembly member John O'Dowd spoke of a job well done but much more to do, MEP Jim Allister, who resigned from the DUP because of the powersharing agreement with Sinn Féin, said "recalcitrant republicanism" rather than unionism benefited from the deal.
With yesterday marking 100 days since the Northern Executive was finally restored on May 8th, Mr Allister said devolution was "most notable for what it hasn't brought us, rather than what it has done".
He said the Executive had failed in winning a proper financial package from the British government and in safeguarding academic education selection.
He said the IRA Army Council was still in existence, while Sinn Féin was "cherrypicking" on policing in that it was only prepared to support "civic" policing.
"On the score sheet of what the DUP promised Sinn Féin would have to do and what Sinn Féin has actually done, it has been a clear win for recalcitrant republicanism," said Mr Allister.
However, Lagan Valley DUP MP and MLA Jeffrey Donaldson rounded on Mr Allister, accusing him of "defeatism" and being unable to "recognise a victory when he sees it".
"We are building a much stronger economy here which will ensure Northern Ireland can no longer be regarded as a failed political entity. This can only strengthen our position within the United Kingdom."
Dr Paisley, on a similar theme, said that before May 8th critics of the DUP claimed devolution would not be possible, but they had been proved wrong.
"The local administration has been able to have a positive early influence on a wide range of issues, including the threat from foot-and-mouth disease, flash flooding, and attracting jobs and investment to the province. The decision of Aer Lingus to locate its UK hub at Belfast International Airport is a major endorsement of Northern Ireland's potential."
The Sinn Féin Assembly group leader John O'Dowd said the first 100 days of devolution demonstrated the importance of having decision-making in the hands of locally-elected politicians.
This was illustrated in the way the foot-and-mouth outbreak in England and flash flooding was handled by local Ministers.
"No one expected that we would get to day one, let alone see the first 100 days arrive so quickly. But now we face greater tests.
"There are still many, many big decisions ahead of us, but there is now a new sense of political stability. In the coming weeks we will begin in earnest to set out our own priorities as we set about the task of developing our first programme for government and budget."
Ulster Unionist Assembly chief whip David McNarry said he wanted to take the DUP to task over claims that unionism had been boosted after 100 days at Stormont. All the safeguards for the union were in place in the Belfast Agreement, which the DUP opposed, so "what is so right now that wasn't right before apart from Ian himself being in charge".
Alliance leader David Ford said while "it is good to see devolution up and running again after years of needless and costly delays, this Executive still has a lot to prove".
