The Tánaiste has said 'the ground has been set' to get Northern Ireland's political institutions back up and running.

Micheál Martin was speaking after agreement was reached between the European Union and the UK government on the Northern Ireland Protocol - which is now being called the Windsor Framework.

Mr Martin told Newstalk Breakfast this is a good deal for everyone.

"It is a very significant day and I think does signal a new chapter in the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union," he said.

Mr Martin said he is hopeful it can lead to an agreement to bring back the Stormont Assembly.

"Obviously, in Northern Ireland, our main objective is to have the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement restored - the assembly and the executive up and running.

"I think it's fair that people will be given an opportunity to examine what is a very comprehensive package of documentation".

'Access to European Single Market'

Mr Martin said everyone he has spoken with wants access to the EU.

"Everybody I speak to in Northern Ireland wants to maintain access to the European Single Market", he said.

"So there has to be frameworks to manage that, and also access to the GB market.

"These trading arrangements do not in any shape or form undermine the constitutional status of Northern Ireland, as enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement.

"Europe is very clear about that, everybody is at this stage, and legally that is the position - politically it is the position also".

'They've both signed off on it'

Mr Martin said these changes remove any remaining concerns.

"Both the government in the UK and the European Union negotiating team in the Commission both own this agreement, and no one is shying away from the agreement," he said.

"They've both signed off on it, that in itself is a significant decision.

"It's a matter for the DUP ultimelty to decide; but I do believe that the people of Northern Ireland want the government.

"The people of Northern Ireland want the decision that they made in the last election validated, in the form of the convening of the assembly, the election of the executive... that can deal with the issues that affect people in in Northern Ireland in their daily lives.

"I think the ground has been set to facilitate and to enable all of that," he added.

Listen back to the full interview below: