As the NI parties head for Leeds Castle, it is interesting to note that this Institute long since predicted the problems that would arise with the Belfast Agreement.
See Fortnight (June 1998, No 371), for example, for an article by one "Waldo Ralph", where we predicted that there would be problems with MLAs changing their designations.
Another problem which is bound to arise, sometime, is the whole question of the referendum, by which, in theory, the constitutional position can change if a majority of at least 50% + 1 is in favour. If, however, the people vote to stay in the United Kingdom, there can be another poll in 7 years time or so, and another, and another; the process is best called a "never-end-'em"! Thirdly, once the people vote for NI to be in a united Ireland, there can be no replays. Fourthly, every individual has the right to be British, or Irish, or both; but collectively, we don't have the chance of a compromise, it's either/or. In a word, the whole thing needs a little more thought.
Finally, as we suggested in a seminar in February 1998, and as we demonstrated in a public meeting in 1986, the Assembly could appoint its Executive democratically, i.e., by electing them (as opposed to selecting them, via a d'Hondt process). After all, the people elect the Assembly, by PR. So, let the Assembly do the same: let all of them elect the Executive, again by PR. The best way to do this is by a matrix vote (see the web-page for details), for this methodology allows the Assembly to elect its power-sharing and proportional Executive, without any designations!
Perhaps the answer is for everyone to ask their local politicians, what is their policy on the matrix vote. Over to you.