Stormont is continuing its work despite having no First Minister or Deputy First Minister in place – however, the clock is ticking on some Bills which may not be passed before the end of this mandate, including two Bills proposed by Fermanagh South Tyrone MLAs.

Tuesday evening saw Sinn Fein's Áine Murphy’s fracking bill debated at Stormont at its second stage, and passed on to committee stage, while her colleague Jemma Dolan’s Bill to Ban Zero-Hour Contracts is currently awaiting a date to be discussed at committee stage.

Last week, First Minister Paul Givan resigned over what the DUP regards as a lack of progress in negotiations to tackle issues related to Brexit, namely, around the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Mr. Givan’s resignation also saw Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill step down from her role.

However, other Executive ministers remain in place, and the Assembly is continuing to sit with a number of pieces of legislation being progressed at a rapid pace, including legislation on paid leave for parents who need to take time off work following the death of a child, stillbirth, or miscarriage, as well as legislation on the 'soft opt-out' scheme for organ donation, which will be known as ‘Dáithí’s Law’ in honour of five-year-old Dáithí Mac Gabhann, whose family campaigned on the issue.

Reacting to the latest crisis at Stormont, Enniskillen activist Dylan Quinn – who came to prominence as a result of founding the ‘We Deserve Better’ campaign in 2018 – described the current situation as “two steps forward, and one step back”.

Mr. Quinn said: “Whilst it is unquestionable that we are in a better state now than we were with the signing of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement in 1998, that does not mean we are in a good state, and it does not mean we have made the progress that should – and could – have been made.

“Progress happens because of the many small decisions and actions taken by people. A lack of progress happens for exactly the same reasons.

"It is a battle of decisions and actions, and more of us need to make and take more positive decisions and more proactive actions.”

Looking to the future, Mr. Quinn said: “Political leaders are only in place because we put them there, and it is within our power to put different people there, or to at least make them understand that there is no certainty of electoral success.

“It is rare that significant change happens overnight; it happens over time, and we must take the time to make it happen.

"The upcoming [Assembly] election is another chance for us to make our voices heard and make change happen. It is vital that more people come out and vote.”

Blasting the role of inaction for the failure of politics in Northern Ireland, Mr. Quinn said: “The continuous failure of politics in Northern Ireland is indeed a demonstration of weak political leadership, but it is also the result of inaction by too many people.

“More than 440,000 people did not vote in the last election – that is more than double all first preference votes for the DUP or SF.

"We could change the political landscape here if people took action to do so. If we do not, we will continue to take two steps forward and at least one step back.”

Others have reacted to the uncertainty posed by the current Stormont crisis and, in particular, the corresponding new uncertainty around the lifting of the remaining Coronavirus restrictions in place.

Noelle McAloon, of Enniskillen BID, said: “The business community in Enniskillen has endured very difficult trading conditions during the last 24 months with the progression of the public realm construction works, lockdowns and Covid-19 restrictions.

"What is not welcomed, as we look with positivity to the potential of brighter times, is political instability.”

Outlining the affects of political instability on business, she continued: “It is bad for business, and bad for the local economy.

"The possibility that we will have no decisions on the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, the budget, and other policy issues is unacceptable.

"Enniskillen BID will continue to support our business community, who are incredibly resilient and dedicated to Enniskillen, [but] business owners are totally disillusioned with the political landscape.”