Will this new deal go further than what was proposed before?published at 17:56 BST17:56 BST
Julian O'Neill
BBC News NI Home Affairs Correspondent
It used to be said that Friday afternoons were the best time to release bad news, but both the UK and Irish governments have trumpeted the significance of what they described as a comprehensive new deal on legacy.
It is not radically different from previous proposals, with the exception of the 2023 Legacy Act. Both governments hope this deal will finally see a breakthrough and say they will follow through on what has been announced today.
Hilary Benn spoke about finally addressing the unfinished business of the Good Friday Agreement, while Simon Harris described the deal as a "night-and-day" improvement on the previous Legacy Act.
In many ways, the deal reflects what was set out by the two governments in the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, which was never implemented — but will this new deal go further than what has been proposed before?
There is a lot to take in regarding what has been outlined here, and this will be followed up in the near future by more detailed legislative proposals from the UK government.
We are told to expect these before Parliament soon, but no specific timeline was outlined.
When all these changes will come into effect, including the transition from the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) to the Legacy Commission, remains uncertain.
It could be at least a year before a new legacy commission begins its work.
The legislation must first be published, then go through Parliament, including any amendments. After that, Ireland will consider what legislation it needs to pass. There is therefore a great deal still to follow.
Many people may reserve ultimate judgement not only on the proposals themselves but also on what is actually legislated in both jurisdictions.
