St Andrews deal - Parties must finally deliver on promises

AGAINST all the odds, a ray of light has emerged from the darkness after three days of intensive talks in Scotland, fanning hopes that the elusive prize of restoring a devolved power-sharing government in the North may finally be in reach.

In the bewildering choreography of the North’s political dance, yet another Byzantine solution has been hammered together.

If things go according to plan, according to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the North could have devolved government by March 26 next year, provided politicians endorse the St Andrews Agreement.