Ireland takes over the six-month presidency of the European Union from tomorrow at a critical juncture in the EU's and Europe's history.
EU enlargement from 15 to 25 member-states has created a new momentum, reinforced by major developments within the Union's political and economic life and by pressures on it from a changing world, to which it must respond more effectively.
The Government is well prepared for these challenging tasks and ministers will be relieved to take them up after months of detailed preparations.
Most of the work of the presidency will fall to the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy and the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, together with their officials and advisers. Other ministers will be involved to a lesser extent, but overall the presidency will absorb a great deal of the Government's political and administrative energy over the next six months.
The Taoiseach is well experienced for the role. He has been involved in all the treaty negotiations since the Single European Act in 1985-7, through the Maastricht Treaty which set up the euro, and the Amsterdam and Nice treaties preparing for this enlargement.
It will fall to him to make judgment calls on whether talks on a constitutional treaty to consolidate that work can be brought to fruition during the next six months, following their suspension at the recent Brussels summit.
The latest indications are that this may be possible, following statements by Spanish and German leaders of a willingness to move from fixed positions. As an experienced negotiator at home and abroad, Mr Ahern will recognise such signs that the prospect for agreement may be ripening; but he is also experienced enough not to exaggerate this likelihood if the evidence is not there, raising expectations which cannot be met.
A proactive approach, involving maximum direct contact with other government leaders, will be necessary if the informal agreements already reached are not to unravel and get entangled with other disputes.
Even if the inter-governmental conference remains in limbo, there is much work to be done. Economic reform has been made a particular priority of the Irish presidency. Ireland may be able to bring forward concrete plans to change the Stability and Growth Pact. Closer co-operation on justice and home affairs is another priority.
And there is a huge agenda involved in using and adapting the EU's foreign policy, security and military capacities for a greater international role.
There will be room to highlight particular Irish priorities and to attract international attention to Ireland's achievements. But the overall judgment on this as on other EU presidencies, will turn on the effective management of its running agenda and the intelligent taking of opportunities to complete it.