Today is the deadline for nominating a first and deputy first minister at Stormont or else Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire is obliged to intervene.
Sinn Fein and the DUP could not reach agreement on a new power-sharing government in Northern Ireland.
The republican party's leader in the assembly, Michelle O'Neill, said they wont be nominating a first and deputy first minister today, adding that talks had run their course.
DUP leader Arlene Foster issued a statement saying that “negotiations will only ever be successful when parties are prepared to be flexible in order to secure outcomes.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan has urged the parties to avail of the remaining time to re-engage in talks.
Power-sharing collapsed in January after a row over a botched green energy scheme.
Four o' clock today is the deadline for negotiations and it now looks like Northern Ireland could face fresh elections.
