The SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, said yesterday it was clear that the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, had made the Northern Ireland problem a political priority.
On RTE radio Mr Hume said Mr Blair had set out very rationally the terms under which Sinn Fein could participate in talks. He believed the terms addressed very strongly the concerns which Sinn Fein leaders had expressed.
Mr Hume said there had been a positive initial response to Mr Blair's proposals from Sinn Fein, and he assumed it was now considering a more detailed reply.
"I assume the IRA are considering the proposals also and I hope there will be a very positive response because, given the major tensions of the marching season, if the IRA were to restore its ceasefire before the marching season it would transform the whole atmosphere throughout Northern Ireland."
Mr Hume said violence had no role of any description to play in solving the problems of Northern Ireland. The time had come, he added, for both governments and all parties to be around the same table.
"The very fact that we are at the stage when both governments and all parties are agreed - that in itself is very major progress. Who could have forecast that a number of years ago?"