MLAs should form a think tank at Stormont to advise civil servants on ruling Northern Ireland

Two things are clear regarding the red herrings being used to justify the current stalemate:

The RHI scheme to assist farming was too generous, but was exploited by greedy and some dishonest operators, before it was corrected.

The Irish language has been allowed to continue in schools and areas where it is spoken or appreciated for many years without hindrance.

It is not necessary to spend valuable funds on replacing literature, road signs, etc in areas where is not required, particularly when our hospitals, schools, etc are crying out for funding.

In any other democracy one participant would not be permitted to bring down a government and hold a nation to ransom for two years.

I would suggest that the elected representatives who have a genuine desire to see the economy, health and education of our people develop should come together as a ‘think tank’ at Stormont and meet daily to guide the civil servants who have decisions to take.

The UK government should bring in the necessary legislation to allow this to take place forthwith.

Those who do not wish to join our think tank should forfeit any remuneration, expenses, etc currently being received for inactivity.

I would imagine a majority of the people of Northern Ireland are desperately unhappy with the current situation, but, as individuals are unable to exercise any influence to alter the position.

Perhaps Mr Allister and other frustrated representatives could get together and come up with some method whereby the electors’ views could be ascertained so that a suitable solution could be found.

Ronald McIntyre, Coleraine