Seven weeks on from Northern Ireland's election, and parties are reported to have begun preparations for another ballot.

It's several weeks since the power-sharing assembly collapsed, and at this stage Sinn Féin and the DUP have failed to reach a deal on forming Government.

Sinn Féin is calling on the Irish Government to intervene and insist a second vote is called.

Belfast-based correspondent Alan Murray says preparations are already underway for another election: