Politicians in Northern Ireland were today urged to complete devolution by taking charge of policing and the courts.
After talks in Manchester this morning, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged the power sharing executive at Stormont to build on the progress which has been made over the past 11 months.
In a joint statement, Mr Ahern and Mr Brown said: "We stand ready to help the political parties as they work to complete the process of devolution through the devolution of policing and justice powers.
"It remains our shared view that the full implementation of all aspects of the St Andrews Agreement is building the community confidence necessary to enable the transfer of these powers to take place.
"Having seen the huge progress made, we are convinced that the time is right for the parties to move forward and take the final steps towards full devolution and full normality."
Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has said the devolution of policing and justice this year remains the major challenge facing Northern Ireland's politicians.
However First Minister Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionists have said they do not believe it can be achieved by the British Government's target date of May because of insufficient support.
After their meeting, the Prime Minister and Taoiseach expressed great pride at the political progress that has been made at Stormont.
Both said it had long been their governments' shared vision that the people of Northern Ireland should enjoy peace and prosperity, with the full benefits of locally elected and fully inclusive democratic institution.
"Their elected leaders have been promoting Northern Ireland and putting the case for greater investment at the highest levels in the United States and in Europe.
"It is therefore with genuine confidence that we look forward to the continued success of these institutions.
"These are enormously hopeful and positive days for the people of Northern Ireland," the premier's statement said.
Mr Brown and Mr Ahern are both due to attend events at Old Trafford in Manchester commemorating the victims of the Munich air crash 50 years ago.
British and Irish players at Manchester United were among those killed in the disaster.