Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British prime minister Tony Blair have hailed yesterday's first meeting and agreement between Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams as a historic, reconciliatory and transforming moment in British-Irish history.
Dr Paisley and Mr Adams yesterday committed themselves to forming a powersharing executive by May 8th after engaging directly for the first time at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.
DUP and Sinn Féin leaders are now primed to move quickly to capitalise on yesterday's devolution deal by presenting a united front to seek additional finance to boost the prospects for stable government in Northern Ireland.
The prospective DUP and Sinn Féin first minister and deputy first minister Dr Paisley and Martin McGuinness are due to meet shortly to facilitate a pre-Easter encounter with British chancellor Gordon Brown.
Northern Secretary Peter Hain said that the picture of such hitherto bitterly polarised political enemies as Dr Paisley and Mr Adams sitting adjacent to each other at Stormont yesterday would "resonate" around the world.
Mr Blair and Mr Ahern were buoyed by the clearly stated pledges of Dr Paisley and Mr Adams to make powersharing work for "all" of the people of Northern Ireland.
Mr Ahern said the agreement was "unprecedented and very positive" and had "the potential to transform the future of this island".
Mr Blair said yesterday he saw a "remarkable coming together" of strong opponents. "This is a very important day for the people of Northern Ireland, but also for the people and the history of these islands," he added.
The British government today will rush emergency legislation through Westminster putting back the date for devolution from yesterday, as originally planned, to May 8th, based on the agreement struck by Dr Paisley and Mr Adams.
A meeting between Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness could happen as early as this week as plans are put in place for their meeting with Mr Brown.
The governments have argued that a combined DUP-Sinn Féin approach was the best way of wresting additional money from the chancellor and Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness appear to have accepted this advice.
The Northern Ireland Office said the meeting with Mr Brown would take place this week or next week.
In the meantime the agreement means that water charges - the bills for which were due to be posted today - are put on hold while the £1 billion already promised remains in place.
Dr Paisley in the statement he gave alongside Mr Adams yesterday said important preparatory work must take place so that Northern executive ministers could "hit the ground running" on May 8th. This would include regular meetings between himself and Mr McGuinness
"This work must begin as quickly as possible," he said.
The formal statements delivered by Mr Adams and Dr Paisley were televised yesterday while the rest of the meeting between the Sinn Féin and DUP delegations was in private. There were no handshakes. Mr Adams wore an Easter lily in his lapel.
Dr Paisley appeared reluctant to engage in eye contact with Mr Adams during the statements although DUP and Sinn Féin sources said the overall meeting was conducted in a "cordial and workmanlike" manner.
There was an acknowledgment by Mr Adams and Dr Paisley of the suffering inflicted during the Troubles and also generous language about trying to ensure a better future for Northern Ireland.
"We must not allow our justified loathing of the horrors and tragedies of the past to become a barrier to creating a better and more stable future," said Dr Paisley.
"In looking to the future, we must never forget those who have suffered during the dark period from which we are, please God, emerging," he added.
"After a long and difficult time in the province I believe that enormous opportunities lie ahead for Northern Ireland," said the DUP leader.
Mr Adams said Sinn Féin was conscious of the people who had suffered during the conflict. "We owe it to them to build the best possible future. It is a time for generosity, a time to be mindful of the common good and of the future of all of our people.
"Sinn Féin is about building a new relationship between orange and green and all the other colours," said Mr Adams.
DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson underlined how difficult it was for the DUP leadership to meet Sinn Féin leaders.
"Do not underestimate the courage of the individuals who took part. People who had been targeted and lost members of their family were sitting in a meeting looking across at people who were in the leadership of the IRA."
US president George Bush's special envoy to Northern Ireland, Paula Dobriansky, said the deal demonstrated a "new era in Northern Ireland and augurs well for the successful establishment of a fully functioning Northern Ireland Assembly".
