Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said the key issues in the way of restoring the Northern executive had been resolved and he was hopeful devolved government would be in place by the end of this month.
Speaking at the American-Ireland Fund dinner in Washington DC last night, Mr Ahern said the IRA has ended its armed campaign, support for policing had been agreed and the programme for normalisation of security in Northern Ireland would be completed shortly.
"Never has the support for what we are seeking been so universal and so united," he added. "The door is now open to shared government."
Mr Ahern said it was "no exaggeration" to say that the fortunes of Northern Ireland will turn on developments in the week ahead. "Together with Prime Minister Blair, we will continue to work closely with the parties to steer a steady course towards restoration of the devolved institutions on March 26th."
Mr Ahern also appealed for the United States to grant residency to about 50,000 Irish citizens living illegally in the US.
"I fully recognise that it is a difficult and sensitive issue," he said, "but I hope that a way can be found to address the plight of those Irish men and women who live in the shadows of this great country."
Granting the illegal Irish a residence amnesty "would mean an enormous amount to so many Irish men and women here and their families in Ireland", he said.
Mr Ahern and other Irish leaders are in Washington for St Patrick's Day celebrations.
The Taoiseach will meet the Democratic and Republican Senate leaders today, in advance of private meetings with House speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton, Edward Kennedy, Patrick Leahy and Chris Dodd.
At the Speaker's Lunch at the Capitol today, Mr Ahern will meet President George W. Bush. He is due at the White House tomorrow to present Mr Bush with the traditional bowl of shamrocks.