The new leader of the North’s Alliance Party, Mr David Ford, met with senior politicians in Dublin this afternoon in his first official visit as party leader.
Mr Ford met with the Tanaiste Ms Mary Harney, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Brian Cowen, Fine Gael TD Mr Jim O’Keeffe, Labour leader Ruairi Quinn and Green Party leader Mr Trevor Sargent in a series of introductory meetings.
Speaking after the meetings, Mr Ford told ireland.comthe main issue discussed was the Review of Strand One of the Belfast Agreement, which began on Monday of this week.
Mr Ford said the review is solely concentrated on designations and the Northern Assembly voting system.
The Alliance Party’s decision to redesignate three Assembly members as unionists in order to re-elect Mr David Trimble as First Minister has been warmly welcomed by the Taoiseach Mr Bertie Ahern.
The move, on November 6th, effectively saved the peace process but furthered the resolve of the Alliance Party, which has five members in Stormont, to change the "tribal" voting system.
Currently, the system requires cross-community support to pass many key decisions - leading to the situation where the Democratic Unionist Party almost blocked the reelection of Mr Trimble, which could have ultimately seen the Assembly suspended.
Mr Ford, Assemblyman for South Antrim, said a simple majority system would serve the people of Northern Ireland better.
He said the Alliance Party sees a straightforward majority system as the only way to get away from sectarian designations within the voting system.
"It is the simplest way of ensuring cross-community support," Mr Ford said.
Mr Ford said he believed there has been significant progress in the peace process in the past few weeks.
"We are keen to see that progress continues," he said.
Additional reporting PA