The SDLP has held its first formal meeting with the Orange Order this afternoon at Parliament Buildings in Stormont.
They also met members of other Protestant marching organisations including the Independent Orange Order and Royal Black Institution.
The Order is under intense pressure to get through this season peacefully after rioting erupted during one of its major parades in West Belfast last year.
The traditional time for marching began without major incident on Easter Monday.
The Orange Order Grand Master Robert Saulters said it was groundbreaking and constructive and there was an honest exchange of views.
He said they wanted to explain their view that the present legislative framework governing parades in the North was fundamentally flawed and could be improved.
The SDLP leader Mark Durkan said it was constructive and positive and useful.
Both sides hope to meet again to discuss some of the areas in more detail.
