The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has said that an agreement in Northern Ireland is not yet done and dusted but he believes the DUP and Sinn Féin leaders will be saying yes to a new deal.
He said he believes they will be face to face across the negotiating table for the first time as early as next Tuesday, in a reference to a Preparation for Government committee meeting at Stormont.
Those discussions at Stormont will be the first test of the new proposals put to the parties by the British and Irish governments at St Andrews in Scotland on Friday.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio's This Week, Mr Ahern said Ian Paisley and his party have made it clear that they are prepared to say yes to going into a power-sharing executive and he believes we will not have to wait long to see that a reality.
He also said he believes Sinn Fein are prepared to embrace and engage with policing.
The Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Sean Brady, who held his first face-to-face meeting with Mr Paisley last week, has welcomed what he called the positive developments at St Andrews.
In a statement, the Catholic Primate of All Ireland said he hopes we are seeing the beginning of a new era in Northern Ireland.
Kenny counters NI referendum idea
Last night, the Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, came out against the idea of a referendum on the agreement.
Speaking at a Fine Gael function in Dublin, Mr Kenny said that if legitimacy was needed it could be given by a vote in the Dáil.
Mr Kenny went on to say that he looked forward to the next Election and that he was ready for a contest with the Taoiseach.
The Northern Secretary, Peter Hain, has said he is confident that Sinn Féin and the DUP will be together in government.
He described events in St Andrews as an astonishing breakthrough.
The Northern parties have until 10 November to respond to the plan, and if they agree, a first minister and deputy first minister will be nominated on 24 November.
The full text of the Agreement at St Andrews is available on the Taoiseach's website
