Talks set to resume at Stormont
It is day two of what could end up being a very long set of negotiations to get Stormont up and running again. Parties will continue their discussions to return to power-sharing after last week's divisive election.
This time last year the DUP were on the cusp of a major success at the polls. This week they are counting the cost of what some would say was an unnecessary election.
Despite that, Nigel Dodds says there wont be a change at the top of the party:
"This is the biggest vote ever cast for any party in an Assembly election and it would be a perverse thing to say that as a result of that someone should step aside. Arlene is the leader of the DUP and the people will decide who leads the DUP. The people have given a resounding mandate and endorsement to Arlene as the leader."
Putting the results to one side, there is no doubt all parties have a mountain to climb if we are to get a functioning executive in less than a month. However Mr Dodds says the problems can be sorted out:
"We don't want direct rule. We are not looking at direct rule as a serious option. We want to see devolution restored, but it takes two to tango, it takes others to work with us and we are looking forward to engaging with the other parties to make devolution happen for Northern Ireland."
Elsewhere, there has been an olive branch extended.
It might be a case of too little too late, but the SDLP has tried to reassure unionists that losing their majority in the Assembly isn't necessarily a bad thing. Leader Column Eastwood was being conciliatory yesterday:
"We want to work with unionism, to achieve a better Northern Ireland. We don't want to force you back into a feeling of fear and negativity. We are not out to destroy your identity or destroy your culture. We are out to work with you and to convince you of our bonafides"
The next few weeks will see a lot of grand-standing by parties trying to get their way in these negotiations. But it's worth pointing out that while this is all happening, it's likely the British government will begin the Brexit process by triggering Article 50.
Column Eastwood says that means the talks have an added urgency.
"The biggest challenge we have faced in many, many years is coming down the track. We cannot afford to not have a government in Northern Ireland. So we are engaging in a process now and we will work with whoever we have to work with to ensure this place survives. "