Northern Ireland’s new Deputy First Minister Mr Mark Durkan, held his first meeting with Taoiseach Mr Bertie Ahern in Dublin this evening.
The pair discussed progress in the peace process and North-South co-operation.
The SDLP leader said: "We all have a duty to deliver stable, uninterrupted and inclusive institutions in line with the vision set out in the Good Friday agreement.
"North-south co-operation is at the heart of that agreement. I look forward to the executive working closely with the Irish government through the full and stable operation of the north-south Ministerial Council and implementation bodies."
Mr Durkan also emphasised his committment to ensuring the effective working of the British-Irish Council: "We must work to develop dialogue, partnership and action on matters of mutual interest and concern."
He said "the serious difficulties on the streets" in Belfast were one of the areas that had to be addressed.
Mr Ahern added: "We want to work out now how we can make the agreement work. We have lost a lot of time, and there is a huge amount of work to do.
"But there is a chance now to move ahead very quickly, and we will do anything we can do to help."