The outcome must be endorsed by a referendum of the people of Northern Ireland and by the British Parliament. Democratic agreement, freely arrived at, will be required at all three stages. All will be treated equally. Meanwhile the eyes of the world will be on the negotiations. Hopes and expectations are running high.
Immense goodwill is behind the talks.
But there will be bitter disappointment if we fail. The responsibility for failure would be an awesome one. For myself, I do not contemplate failure. We cannot go back to where we were. The potential for development in Northern Ireland is enormous.