Tom Collins is an Irish News columnist and former editor of the newspaper. This time around there is added piquancy as the polls suggest both Sinn Féin and the DUP are losing the confidence of voters. Sinn Féin may be responsible for transport, among other things, but it couldn’t even get people to the Fleadh on time. Taking the ball and walking off the field at this stage would do neither Sinn Féin nor the DUP much good. They also need to face up to the realities that Northern Ireland is, always has been, and always will be a failed political entity.