The Northern Ireland Assembly

East Street in Southampton after the 1978 bombing.

picture Copyright BBC.

I see that the Northern Ireland Assembly is expected to meet again at 10.30 on Monday to resume proceedings disrupted by the latest security alert.
Doubtless we will hear a report on the security implications of the incident at the entrance to Parliament Buildings with much hand-wringling. Still better alerts than bombs...
Meanwhile Taoiseach Bertie Ahern welcomed what he described as 'further clarity' from the DUP leader Ian Paisley on his intention to accept the job of first minister.
Personally, I would rather it was almost anyone but Paisley but Sinn Fein have trumped the DUP by announcing that the indescribable Martin McGuinness is its choice for deputy first minister.
Given his dubious past, I thought it was ironic that Martin McGuinness has called for a review of security operations at Stormont. Speaking on BBC's Inside Politics, Mr McGuinness said:"Quite obviously in light of the events there has to be a review. I think that review should not be knee-jerk and it certainly shouldn't be an over-reaction to what happened."

There was a time not so long ago when he didn't seem to approve of any security measures in the province...