Analysis: "Your questions answered" read the sign above the all-party panel of economic spokesmen at yesterday's business briefing at the Europa Hotel in Belfast.
The burning question - whether there will be a power-sharing executive formed in Northern Ireland after the Assembly elections on March 7th - was not answered, but no real surprise there.
Instead the Democratic Unionist party introduced yet another "deal breaker" - either Gordon Brown stumps up more money or there will be no devolved government.
But, despite the fighting talk, it was still a good-humoured discussion and there was a level of consensus among the parties, even if they differed on the details.
There was even the occasional joke. DUP spokesman George Dawson announced, to general merriment, that people may be surprised to hear that his party was prepared to learn from the economic success of the Republic, but it was indeed happy to do so. He was even seen nodding vigorously when Sinn Féin's Mitchell McLaughlin waxed lyrical on Northern Ireland's economic woes.
For his part Mr McLaughlin promised not to make a political issue out of the creation of an all-island economy. "I mean that sincerely," he added, for extra effect.
All the panellists were members of the economic subgroup in the last Assembly and have worked together before. But aside from Mr Dawson, all wanted the executive back up and running, whether or not an economic deal was agreed.
Afterwards Mr Dawson expressed his disappointment at the lack of unity on the issue. "I think if the parties could stick together on this, we have a better chance of delivering," he said.
Of course the DUP is directly in the firing line of disgruntled voters if a Scrooge-style executive is formed. It is set to be the largest political party in the new Assembly and leader Ian Paisley is the top contender for first minister.
Expectations are high among the electorate, more concerned with the prospect of water charges than whether Sinn Féin's commitment to policing is genuine or not. Northern Ireland's water system is drastically in need of upgrading and the EU is threatening to impose severe financial penalties over its inadequate sewage facilities. But there's hardly a corner shop in Belfast that doesn't feature a poster from anti-water charge campaigners. It is the number one issue on the door step in this election. All parties agree on that.
The St Andrews agreement featured a handful of concessions, but the elimination of water charges was not among them.
The panellists also differed on the possibility of a reduction on corporation tax. The SDLP's Alasdair McDonnell said he believed it unlikely given the political pressure on Mr Brown from other MPs, never mind his Scottish constituents. The UUP's Dr Esmond Birnie cited the legal difficulties at European level. But the Alliance Party's Sean Neeson believed the legal issues could be overcome.
Mr Dawson, however, insisted his party would have serious political clout with Numbers 10 and 11 Downing Street in the critical period between the elections and the Assembly deadline - a few days before water bills start landing on voter's doormats.
