72 hour 'sticking plaster' for Stormont
Our Political Correspondent Jordan Moates looks at what the extension to the Stormont talks deadline means.
Well this is the real Groundhog Day - the morning after the night before.
Since January multiple deadlines have come and gone, yet we seem to be as far away from a deal as we were at the start.
Despite yesterday's deadline for forming an Executive, talks are set to continue over the weekend with the DUP and Sinn Fein still at loggerheads over an Irish Language Act.
Rather than compromise, the last few days saw some parties double down on their positions.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Robin Swann says now isn't the time for hot heads:
"This isn't the time for grand-standing or knee-jerk reactions. We've been elected to this place to do a job and that's where the Ulster Unionist Party see that job should be done.
"There's an ability and a will, I still think, to deliver a functioning Executive and Assembly here in Northern Ireland."
These talks will continue over the weekend while the Secretary of State James Brokenshire reflects on his next move.
It could be a further extension to talks, it could be another election, or it could even be a suspension of the institutions.
Alliance leader Naomi Long doesnt think direct rule is the best option:
"Frankly what we don't need now are superhero direct rule ministers coming in, fixing our problems for us and then handing it back to us and saying 'well do the easy stuff'.
"We're elected to do the hard stuff, so let's pick up the pieces and do the hard stuff. That's what we're paid for."
The Secretary of State is set to make a statement on Monday outlining his next steps, but it seems for the next 72 hours or so Stormont is being held together with a sticking plaste