Slow, difficult progress has been made in recent weeks as discussions between the Irish and British governments and the pro-Agreement parties on the reinstatement of the Northern institutions move towards a resolution.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, will meet in London today to review developments and prepare for what is expected to be a crucial gathering of the parties at Hillsborough next Monday. As a scene-setter, agreement has been reached on a "seamless security approach" to dissident republicans and organised crime.
The governments and the party leaders have been understandably cautious in their public comments. On too many occasions in the past, political expectations have been undermined by deeply-rooted suspicion and distrust. This time, however, there is a general realisation that the Belfast Agreement is not infinitely flexible and that the Executive and the Assembly must be seen to work if public confidence is to be retained.
The intention is to agree "acts of completion" that will breathe fresh life into the Belfast Agreement and re-establish the institutions in advance of the scheduled Assembly elections in May. The crucial issues have long been identified and draft proposals dealing with policing, decommissioning, demilitarisation and the stability of institutions have been subjected to detailed discussion.
In keeping with its negotiating tradition, Sinn Féin is said to be offering little and expecting much in return. But the Sinn Féin president, Mr Gerry Adams, and its chief negotiator, Mr Martin McGuinness, are fully aware that a critical phase in the peace process has arrived and that republicans must now deal with the weapons issue and the future of the IRA. Politics cannot thrive in the shadow of armed groups and of paramilitary activity.
Mr David Trimble has said little in advance of next Saturday's meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council. But a trusted colleague, Sir Reg Empey, described the negotiations as the last significant chance to revitalise the political process and to restore devolution before the Assembly elections. In that regard, and no matter what the motivation, the declaration of a 12-month period of military inactivity by the UDA, and its re-engagement with the International Decommissioning Body, can only be of assistance.
Nobody is talking about a quick fix in these negotiations. Mr Ahern and Mr Blair have already invested enormous amounts of time and effort in establishing the parameters of a new departure. Balance and delicacy are important elements in any agreement. But, in the atmosphere of political distrust and suspicion that exists in Northern Ireland, clarity of purpose and of commitment by the parties is vital. It may take days of hard bargaining to secure agreement, but a revitalised Belfast Agreement would enrich and empower both communities.