Governments' reaction:Democratic Unionist Party leader the Rev Ian Paisley will have to explain to voters if he does not use his party's increased vote to establish a Northern Ireland executive, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said.
"I don't have any indication that Ian Paisley will do anything other than what he is legally bound to do under United Kingdom legislation," Mr Ahern said at the end of the European Council summit.
Expressing optimism that a devolved Stormont administration is on the cards, Mr Ahern told The Irish Times: "If for some hypothetical reason he didn't do that, then he would have to explain that to his redundant MLAs and 208,000 voters.
"They voted for his party to play a significant role in a devolved executive and he is in a very good position to do that and he is going to go in with a very strong mandate. I don't envisage why he would jeopardise that.
"[ If he does not] the whole thing just collapses. There are no proposals about how that would be set up again at some distant time. There wouldn't be any new initiatives. I can't see anything in it for Dr Paisley, or the DUP to take other than a constructive position," he said.
Earlier, Mr Ahern met with British prime minister Tony Blair to review the outcome, with both men insisting that all political parties must interpret the outcome as a vote for the executive's formation.
Offering his congratulations to the newly-elected Assembly members, Mr Ahern said: "It is terrific. It is the first time in modern times that Northern Ireland has been able to have that kind of election where the economic issues dominated.
"It has been very clear that the people want the issues that are important to them, the everyday issues, that they want them dealt with, and that they want them dealt with in a devolved administration."
The two men discussed the results and the efforts to get a Northern Ireland executive formed by the March 26th deadline for 30 minutes yesterday.
Privately, the Government believes that the expectations of the Democratic Unionists and Sinn Féin for significant extra funding from the British taxpayers are unrealistic, although some funds to soothe voter anger about water charges are expected.
Mr Ahern and Mr Blair insisted the election showed voters had rewarded Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party for moving into the centre ground, rather than giving them support for holding extreme positions.
"Now people have moved back into mainstream issues, it was not about the issues of the past. People voted about who can deal best with our issues within a devolved administration in Northern Ireland. That is a good thing," Mr Ahern said.
Mr Blair said: "Now is the moment in Northern Ireland that we can get down to business. The parties that have been successful in the election can take charge.
"It is very obvious from the feedback that I have heard that the issues were about water charges, health, education, the economy, the real basic issues of democratic politics.
"That is what is both fascinating, extraordinary and very heartening about what has happened. People want to see elected politicians in Northern Ireland deliver on the issues that are important to them, things like the water rates, health and the economy. I actually think that the strength of the vote that reflects the difficult decisions in leadership that have been taken on all sides by the political parties and also the belief that that those people if they were elected in Northern Ireland would then work together in a devolved administration."
The basis on which the election was called was on the basis that despite the past people, if they were prepared to agree on powersharing, agree on exclusively peaceful means, could do business together, Mr Blair said.
Mr Ahern warned the March 26th deadline would not be changed: "The legislation is very clear. It is British legislation. It has to be set up on March 26th. There is no alternative.
"Everyone is clear on the position, unless somebody interpreted it differently. I don't think that anyone interpreted it differently," said Mr Ahern.
Joint statement: Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair
"The people have spoken and the St Andrews agreement has been democratically validated. We can now move to the next step outlined at St Andrews - the restoration of the Assembly and executive.
The message of the electorate is clear. After so many years of frustration and disappointment, they want Northern Ireland to move on to build a better future together through the restored institutions. Many of the practical issues which have been raised in this election campaign can and should be resolved locally. Elected representatives now have the chance to do so.
Restoration of the devolved institutions represents an opportunity of historic proportions. It must not be missed. We urge the parties to take on this challenge and to set Northern Ireland on a steady course for the future.
We will work closely with the parties in the coming period as the final steps are taken for restoration on March 26th. Much good work has already been done in preparation for restored government. We look forward to this work continuing.
As two governments, we stand committed to working in a spirit of partnership and genuine friendship with the new executive. The people of Northern Ireland have suffered grievous pain and loss. But enormous progress has been made and there is now no good reason why we should not be able to complete this historic process. All must now take responsibility in government for building and consolidating peace. This is what the people of Northern Ireland want. They deserve no less."
