Exactly three years ago, the government in NI collapsed. It was a devolved and shared one.
With the DUP representing the Unionists and Sinn Fein, the Republicans - and the province has been ruled from Westminster since.
This lack of local power has badly affected trade, life and business in NI - and has created more obstacles for Brexit, relating to the border with the Republic.
Post-Brexit, the Republic will remain in the EU; NI will have left as part of the UK.
One of the major bones of contention is the Irish language - which is only spoken in small Republian pockets of NI - and in slightly larger areas in the Republic.
Notwithstanding the scarcity of Irish speakers in NI (a few thousand can speak it), Sinn Fein is insisting on an Irish Language Act - giving the language the same status as English, in NI.
Sadly, this illogical stance will probably stop a government returning to Stormont anytime soon - and maybe, for decades.
Because the Republic gives the Irish and English languages equal status - Sinn Fein feels the same should apply in NI.