Northern Ireland could have devolved Government by March 26th next year if its politicians endorse the St Andrews' agreement, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair said today.
After three days of intensive negotiations the two Prime Ministers set out a sequence of moves on policing and reviving devolution.
Under the deal, the parties would have to respond by November 10th, which would set off moves for the restoration of power sharing by March 26th.
On October 17th, a new Preparation for Government Committee at Stormont would meet and agree priorities for a new power sharing government.
By November 21st, special legislation would be introduced at Westminster to give effect to the St Andrews deal, with the Assembly meeting on November 24th to nominate a Democratic Unionist party First Minister and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister.
That would be followed by an Independent Monitoring Commission report in January, endorsement by the electorate early in March followed by the nomination of other ministers on March 14th with power finally devolved on March 26th.
The text of Mr Blair and Mr Ahern's agreement said all parties needed to be wholeheartedly and publicly committed in good faith and in a spirit of genuine partnership to the full operation of power sharing and cross-Border and British-Irish arrangements.
Mr Ahern and Mr Blair addressed reporters with a sign behind them saying "St Andrews Agreement".
Mr Blair insisted the November 24th for acceptance was unchanged and that the the joint proposals were not a substitute for the Belfast Agreement. we have a fully worked out agreement
"I think we have a way forward here," he said.
Mr Ahern concurred: "I believe that we have all of the elements that can brign satisfaction to all of the issues if not perfect by everybody's agenda is a fair and sustainable."
The document also said every part of the community in Northern Ireland should support policing and the rule of law.
"We believe that the essential elements of support for law and order include endorsing fully the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the criminal justice system, actively encouraging everyone in the community to co-operate fully with the PSNI in tackling crime in all areas, and actively supporting all the policing and criminal justice institutions including the Policing Board."
The governments said the Preparation for Government Committee would continue talks on devolving justice and policing powers from Westminster to Stormont. Parties would try to agree the creation of a new policing and justice department in Northern Ireland.
DUP leader Rev Ian Paisley that he hoped the "day of the gunmen in government" is over.
But he warned: "It is deeds, not deadlines that count."
"Everyone who aspires to sit in a position of power in Northern Ireland must, by word and deed" give support for the law of the land and the police service in it," Dr Paisley said.
With the DUP, Sinn Féin and other parties yet to sign up to the deal, the politicians were warned that failure to establish an executive would leave to the immediate dissolution of the Assembly.
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said he would consult with his party and the "wider republican family".
"I would ask them to get the documentation, to study it and debate it out. Make their views known and be part of the effort to resolve these matters," he said.
In the event of the deal collapsing the two governments will implement their Plan B of taking forward new partnership arrangements under the Belfast Agreement.
PA