MR Tony Blair's sensational election victory could prove to have profound consequences for developments about Northern Ireland.
As the scale of the Tory collapse effectively removed obstacles to key elements of the new government's programme - for example Scottish and Welsh devolution - some observers suggested it would give Mr Blair the opportunity to force the pace in the search for a political settlement in the North.
Dublin will be delighted to be dealing with a British government unaffected by worries about the size of its Commons majority. The Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, and the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, will have an early opportunity to assess the new prime minister's disposition during a planned courtesy call at Downing Street next Thursday afternoon.
The new Secretary of State will also want to assess Sinn Fein's disposition after its election successes and the possibility of a resumption of the IRA ceasefire.
However, it is not clear if Mr Blair would be interested in a protracted negotiation, directly or indirectly, with republicans about the terms on which they might enter the political process following the IRA's deployment of mass terror and disruption during the British election campaign.
Escaping the limits of opposition politics, Mr Blair yesterday said: "Today, enough of talking. It is time now to do." The unionist parties certainly will encourage him to take a similar line with the IRA, challenging it to make an irrevocable commitment to peaceful and democratic methods. Mr David Trimble will press Mr Blair on the need to push ahead with the Stormont talks process, with or without Sinn Fein.
While the new government will want to move that process forward if it can, the Secretary of State - expected to be Dr Mo Mowlam - will have to decide how long to give the parties to reach agreement before opting for a more pro-active policy, or else conclude that Northern Ireland will remain beyond the reach of the new "can-do" administration.
Somehow, that just does not sound like Mr Blair.