Northern politicians are facing the deadline for salvaging the North's institutions.
Following the resignation of Mr David Trimble as First Minister on July 1st, a new First and Deputy First Minister will have to be chosen this Sunday, making Saturday the last day the Assembly could be reconvened from its summer recess.
Failing that, the Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, will make the decision on whether to suspend the institutions or call fresh Assembly elections.
The election notice would have to be signed by either the acting First Minister, Sir Reg Empey, and the former Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon, or at least 30 MLAs.
Practical considerations suggest members would need notice to return to Belfast. If no First or Deputy First Ministers are chosen by Sunday it will be up to the Northern Secretary to decide the next step.
He could opt for a full suspension of the Assembly and call a review of the Belfast Agreement. For such a move it would be necessary for him to sign a suspension order, and all devolved powers would revert to the British government
Dr Reid might, however, decide to call a fresh election. The date for such a poll would be set within a "reasonable period" but there is no legal time limit. It is, however, widely assumed the election would take place in the autumn, possibly September or October. In the meantime, the Executive would stay in place to carry out its duties.
A third option available to the Northern Secretary is a one-day suspension which would give the parties six weeks to reach agreement. Following any kind of suspension, Dr Reid would have to sign another order reconvening the institutions.
