Exactly three years to the day since the collapse of the Stormont Executive and politicians have returned to their jobs on the hill.

Two years ago, maybe even a year ago, I would have been happy to hear politicians discuss divisions being put to the side and felt enthusiastic on hearing talk of “working together for a bright future”. I may have even believed those saying they “owed it to the people” of Northern Ireland to get back to work and deliver on issues such as mental health and education.

But with the passing of time and with it a deterioration of the health service to breaking point, an education system in crisis, a lack of representation over Brexit among other damning issues, I'm weary.

The fact is that regardless how much I try to believe the current round of promises from First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy Michelle O’Neill, it remains to be seen how serious they – and others – are about making devolution work. Both the DUP and Sinn Fein are wounded from a rather bruising – and perhaps humbling – general election. Neither party wanted an Assembly election to give the electorate another opportunity to punish them.

Meanwhile the DUP is still suffering from its humiliating dalliance with the Conservative Party and Boris Johnson who threw them under the bus.

For me, it is these events and the lack of an alternative, rather than any sense of duty to fix the problems that have been exacerbated by the lack of leadership shown since 2017, that has brought them back together again. It’s hard not to be a cynic when looking at this latest attempt at power sharing. Indeed, the public is right to be sceptical. It doesn’t mean Stormont cannot work.

Like family watching a couple attempting to save their marriage, we all hope it will succeed. Maybe the growing level of anger shown by the public over the last three years has been the incentive the two main parties needed to improve their behaviour.

But if devolution is to succeed this time around, a greater level of maturity will be required and it is vital that party politics are put aside to deal with the wide variety of issues affecting people all across Northern Ireland. It’s also clear that collective responsibility must be at the heart of each of the party’s modus operandi if they really intend to have meaningful power sharing.

The crisis in the health service is arguably the most urgent priority for Stormont and it will need goodwill and compromise on all sides as well as a huge injection of money. Tackling the big issues such as waiting lists and staffing problems are each mammoth tasks; the fact that many of the parties avoided the health portfolio is proof of just how challenging the task ahead is. I should add that fair dues are given to the UUP if the health brief was its top choice, although I have to admit that I don’t believe that for a second. Health is undoubtedly seen as the poisoned chalice.

The mood music coming from each of the five parties with a seat on the executive certainly sounds as though they are willing to put their sharp tongues away. But for how long is anyone’s guess. The investigation into the so-called cash-for-ash scandal, which led to the collapse of Stormont in 2017, is due to be published in the coming months and it is certain to cause some ripples within the newly appointed executive.

It also remains to be seen how a lack of an official opposition will play out, since Alliance, the UUP and SDLP have decided to take their places within this Executive. It was the crucial role played by a beefed up opposition in the previous executive, asking questions and demanding answers of civil servants, special advisors and Ministers, that helped to uncover the RHI scandal.

No one wanted to see Stormont collapse but people deserve an accountable and transparent government, one that provides an opportunity for debate and scrutiny, otherwise what’s the point?

As the saying goes, never say never, but surely this is the last chance for devolution. I’m not sure the public will have the stamina or the patience to wait for politicians to make good if Stormont falls again. After all, Brexit and as a consequence, Irish Unity, are waiting in the wings.