It would be fair to say that Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair have not been burdened with a sense of over-expectation as they prepare for their crucial talks with the main Northern Ireland political parties tomorrow (Wednesday).
Public predictions have ranged from the pessimistic to the cynical, and some leading figures have occasionally given the impression that they want to firmly extinguish any hint of light at the end of a tunnel.
However, privately, there is a belief on both the Irish and British sides, and within the nationalist and unionist camps, that a permanent restoration of our devolved administration can soon be achieved.
All the key groups have their contributions to make if this is to happen, but it is reasonable to expect that the main focus in the days ahead will be on republicanism.
We can argue with each other interminably over the causes of the last collapse but the reality is that, of the main parties represented in the Stormont Executive, only one has a private army.
This is a basic contradiction within a democratic system... one which sooner or later was certain to lead to a crisis.
An acknowledgment is required from republicans that what has euphemistically been known as the physical force tradition is over and that the decommissioning process, which has already commenced, should be verifiably brought to its natural conclusion.
The endorsement of our new policing structures is equally essential and is fully capable of being delivered.
It may be suggested that these are massive steps but, in the context of the history of the last decade, they can be seen as logical and appropriate.
The British government will be expected to simultaneously address concerns over demilitarisation issues, while unionists also need to offer firm guarantees about the future of the executive and the assembly.
There are many other complexities involved but, with goodwill and flexibility across the board, an understanding providing a definite basis for progress is within our reach.
