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Here’s to you, Mrs Robinson! If words mean what they say, there will be a new political departure in Northern Ireland during the coming months. That is what most people want. Recent behaviour by a minority of DUP politicians may suggest that celebrations are premature. Hard work and further compromises will be required if the objectives set out in the Hillsborough Castle Agreement are to be achieved. The most compelling aspect of yesterday’s agreement is that it is home-grown and much has been achieved.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen and British prime minister Gordon Brown were happy to lend their support to the compromises produced by the DUP and Sinn Féin and to hail the document as an end to the process of devolution. They finally secured a firm date for the...