Northern Ireland justice powers to be devolved in April
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Gordon Brown, the DUP leader, Peter Robinson, and Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness (l to r) talk to the press after the Northern Ireland power-sharing deal was announced.
A deal between NI's biggest parties, the DUP and Sinn Fein, could see policing and justice powers devolved to Northern Ireland on 12 April.
A cross-community vote on devolving the powers will be held in the NI Assembly on 9 March.
Every DUP assembly member present backed the deal late on Thursday night.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is in NI, said the agreement was possible because of "a new spirit of mutual cooperation and respect".
"We are closing the last chapter of a long and troubled story and we are opening a new chapter for Northern Ireland," he said.
Disagreement on the timing of the devolution of the justice powers had threatened to collapse Northern Ireland's power-sharing administration.
Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen said the deal was "an essential step for peace, stability and security in Northern Ireland" which laid the foundations for a better future.
Northern Ireland First Minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson said: "Over recent weeks there may have been great frustration out in the community.
"But there would have been even greater frustration if we did a deal that collapsed. So it is far better that we spend the extra time and we get it right."