The two governments are pretty unapologetic about that, because it is an attempt to keep them in the process and make them realize that anybody who would be seen to be responsible for the breakdown of talks this time, however fairly or unfairly, would not be forgiven by the public. |
There are a great many people on the Unionist side who feel such a gesture would be little more than a surrender to nationalist pressure at the moment, and one more affront to the Unionist community. |
This process can be set back ... but I do not think it can be undone. Because it is very much a one-way process ... not towards a united Ireland, but more to responsible government. |