It comes as no surprise that the prospect of a snap Stormont election has been avoided once more.
Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris showed little intention of calling an early Assembly poll, especially one so close to the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
Another election would only risk further polarising the Stormont parties at a time when talks between the UK and EU are intensifying over Brexit's Northern Ireland Protocol.
READ MORE: Ex-Northern Ireland secretary urges sanctions for parties refusing to power share
The decision to again extend the legal period for forming an Executive ends for now the cycle of meaningless deadlines which were becoming an embarrassment.
However, what will raise questions is just how far down the road the can has been kicked.
The Northern Ireland secretary previously introduced legislation to extend the timeframe by 12 weeks. This time, the extension is 12 months.
With the period for Executive formation ballooning to January 18, 2024, it raises concerns that efforts to restore power-sharing are being allowed to drift.
Stormont parties have been asked to bring forward proposals for a 2023-24 budget which will ultimately be set by the Secretary of State.
Mr Heaton-Harris is also now publishing monthly reports on decisions being made by civil servants running departments in the continuing absence of an Executive.
While this helps provide political oversight and accountability, it gives the impression that the Northern Ireland Office is bedding in for potentially a prolonged period of Civil Service rule.
There has been some progress in talks between London and Brussels on finding a resolution to the protocol impasse.
But even if a deal is reached, there is no guarantee it will be enough to persuade the DUP to end its block on restoring Stormont.
The party will face mounting pressure in the coming weeks over delays to Dáithí's Law. Sinn Féin is seeking a recall of the Assembly after Mr Heaton-Harris proposed electing a Speaker to pass the stalled organ donation bill.
If the party's protest against the protocol persists, Stormont's limbo period could continue for some considerable time to come.
The last stoppage in the wake of the RHI scandal lasted three years. We are already a third of the way there.
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