The real challenge of uniting unionism still lies ahead 

The deal may restore power-sharing, but it is unlikely to heal the divide that is splintering this declining political power 

Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson addresses the media following a meeting with 120 executive members of the DUP on a possible deal to restore the devolved government on Tuesday. Picture: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

At the 11th hour, or in this case the very early hours of the morning, the North was given its first glimmer of hope that after two years of inertia the political institutions set up under the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement could be restored. 

Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Jeffrey Donaldson is prepared to lead his party back to Stormont, but while he emerged victorious from a meeting that almost tipped into a complete farce after being highjacked by a loyalist blogger, the real challenge of uniting unionism still lies ahead.