The Rev Ian Paisley told MPs "a star of hope" was guiding Northern Ireland towards a better future, as the Commons passed emergency legislation yesterday confirming the May 8th commencement date for Stormont devolution.
The First Minister-designate said it was "only a star of hope" at this stage, adding: "We are not nearly across the river and we have some very hard things to do, and some great sacrifices to be made, in order that this star will not be like many other stars."
Warning of previous false dawns, when there had been "singing and dancing", Dr Paisley said the DUP/Sinn Féin agreement was "a work-in" rather than "a love-in". He laughed off some complaints that Monday's historic scenes had not been sealed with a handshake with Sinn Feein president Gerry Adams, joking: "Why should I? All the people that shook hands with him are all gone. Do you want me to go too?"
Despite discomfort on the DUP benches, however, Dr Paisley's high good humour was clear as Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain led tributes to the veteran North Antrim MP, hailing Monday's scenes at Stormont as a "triumph of peace over conflict".
Congratulating Dr Paisley and Mr Adams for their "courage and leadership" in sitting down together, Mr Hain said: "They have together taken charge of the process from the British and Irish governments and, as a result, the political settlement that will emerge will be far stronger and far more robust than anything imposed by government, precisely because it is grounded in local agreement."
Mr Hain, who also received plaudits from the Tory benches for his role, continued: "This is where we've wanted to be since before the Good Friday agreement was signed almost nine years ago - locally accountable politicians taking responsibility for the future, showing that whatever their differences they can work for the common good without sacrificing either principle or integrity." Mr Hain also paid tributes to other politicians, who had helped secure this "extraordinary" deal, which he insisted would not have been achieved had ministers not been "resolute" in refusing all requests to extend the original March 26 deadline, save in the context of the DUP/Sinn Féin agreement.
Mr Hain said the significance of Sinn Féin/DUP negotiations at the weekend could not be over-estimated. It was for that reason, he explained, that he was able to move the emergency Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement No 2) Bill to restore devolution.
DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson, who is widely credited for the strategy of breaking Monday's original deadline while maximising party unity behind the new date, said there was "no joy" in DUP hearts at the steps they had had to take. He acknowledged it would be "too big" a step for some in the party. However, he stressed the agreement was based on all parties keeping their commitments, particularly Sinn Féin in relation to policing and support for the rule of law.
Mr Robinson combined this with a robust defence of the party's rejection of the original Belfast Agreement negotiated by the Ulster Unionists, telling those who argued it could have been done nine years ago that some had done the deal then only to see it "followed by crisis after crisis and collapse".