Many people in Belfast view the war of words at the Assembly as the antics of "spoiled children", reports Alison Healy
It was business as usual on the Shankill and Falls roads in Belfast yesterday as shops advertised their Christmas clubs and murals either advertised the Loyalist Volunteer Force or the IRA, depending on the location.
Sinn Féin should have been thrown out of the power-sharing arrangement a long time ago, according to Mr John McIlwrath, who described himself as "a true loyalist and a true Protestant".
"They were never in it for the peace. They told their constituents they would win the war, that's all they are interested in," he said on the Shankill Road yesterday.
Mr McIlwrath said he wouldn't believe a word Sinn Féin said.
"It's a united Ireland they are out for and they will probably get it."
Ms Sally Hamilton said the situation was "bloody awful".
"Get Sinn Féin out first. I don't like David Trimble either. He's awful soft on them."
She has warned her children and grandchildren not to get involved in paramilitary groups. "You shouldn't have to do that."
Another woman said she was totally disillusioned with the peace process. "But I have a lot of faith in that Scotch man, John Reid. I think he's fair on both sides."
She said she would be afraid to give her name. "Back in the Seventies, I would have loved to have stood up and said what I thought but you can't."
Mr Jim Crothers said he hoped the power-sharing Executive would fold.
"Don't get me wrong, I don't want a return to shooting and killing but they've had their chance and it hasn't worked."
He said direct rule from Britain was the only way forward.
"Perhaps the SDLP are not too bad but Sinn Féin could never to be trusted. Not unless they make a dramatic turnaround."
He said British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair had a hidden agenda. "Tony Blair's agenda is a united Ireland and I fear that."
Over on the Falls Road, people were blaming the unionists for trying to break up the Executive.
"Most people want it to work but there is a small element that doesn't and they are looking for any excuse to make it collapse," said Ms Colette McCormick.
"Any excuse at all and they are up in arms. They are like spoiled children. I feel they never wanted it to work."
Ms Daniella Campbell said she was fed up listening to the arguments.
"You'd like to keep it going certainly, so that peace could be brought to the place. But it's going on for so long that I don't take any heed of it anymore."
The recent events would encourage Mr Seamus Harden to vote for Sinn Féin, even though he never voted for them before, he said.
The police handling of the search of Sinn Fein's office was "over the top" and the party would win votes because of it, he said.
However, Sinn Fein also handled it badly. "They should have come out with their hands up and said if an individual was guilty of the charges, then they should face the full rigour of the law but the party could not be blamed."
He said he expected the crisis to "fizzle out" because no one wanted to go back to war.
"It would be terrible to go back to soldiers outside the door and armoured personnel carriers going by."
One man on the Falls Road voiced a lone opinion yesterday when he called for direct rule from Britain.
"The people in this place hate each other too much. We're as bad as the Jews and the Arabs. Let them have direct rule. Let the British run the place," said the man who did not wish to be named.
"The DUP made a right ass of themselves," said a man standing outside a betting shop on the Falls Road.
"They were going pulling out yesterday, and then today and now it's not until Friday. They want to hear what Blair has to say. They're like wee boys, running to their Mammy."
He said the loyalist factions were "killing each other every night. Why don't the police raid their clubs?
"Don't give my name. I'd be shot. Call me an observer."