The Tánaiste has said that he supports reform of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement, but it must only be done from a position of political stability.
Micheál Martin was speaking at Queen's University, which is hosting a three-day conference to mark the 25th anniversary of the agreement.
He said the calls for reform of the institutions had grown louder as a result of the collapse of the Executive and the cross-border bodies.
"It is clear that the political community between unionist and nationalist has grown, and I believe that there should be reform.
"But that is best achieved from a position of stability.
"We must get the Assembly and the Executive working - respecting the mandate of last May's election.
"Then see what should, and what can, be changed," he said.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
The Tánaiste also spoke about how the complexities of Brexit had created turbulence in relationships.
He said the EU and UK government had both stretched themselves to reach the accommodation of the Windsor Framework.
Mr Martin said he understood it would take time for that turbulence to settle and that parties needed time to properly assess the implications of the deal.
But he urged everyone to get back into the institutions as quickly as possible and "get to work on the questions of everyday life that matter to the people of Northern Ireland including healthcare, education, policing, regional imbalances and much more".
The Tánaiste also reaffirmed the Government's commitment to working with the UK to continue implementing the Good Friday Agreement.
Let us recapture and renew that generous spirit of the Agreement.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) April 18, 2023
Let's see this place through the eyes of those we don’t agree with.
When we do, I’m certain that we will recognise the potential of the opportunity before us. #Agreement25 pic.twitter.com/bZM6XcnZvM
Speaking alongside Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris, Mr Martin said both governments had a shared responsibility to the agreement.
"This anniversary of the agreement is a reminder that our shared responsibility, our role as co-guarantors, is not a matter of party, policy or preference, it is a solemn responsibility on our two governments, a treaty responsibility enshrined in the 1998 British-Irish Agreement," he said.
"And it is a responsibility underpinned by the explicit democratic values and wishes of the people in both parts of this island.
"It is no secret that our two governments have not always acted in concert at all times in recent years. Even today, there are areas where we disagree fundamentally, such as on the Legacy Bill.
"But I am delighted to say that our partnership is manifestly better now than it has been for quite some time.
"Of course, like everything else of value, it needs continued care, commitment and investment."
Mr Heaton-Harris said that power-sharing is "the surest way" to secure Northern Ireland's place in the union, as he said real leadership is about having the courage to say "yes".
He said those who are proud of Northern Ireland's place in the union "should put the union first" and restore the devolved institutions.
The DUP has said it will not participate in the Assembly until its concerns around the Northern Ireland Protocol are addressed.
The party has expressed concerns over the Windsor Framework, which the UK agreed with the EU earlier this year in an attempt to persuade the DUP to call off its Assembly boycott.
Mr Heaton-Harris said the narrative that unionism was not served well by the Good Friday Agreement is "wrong".
He said the "simple reality" is that people tend to change the status quo only when the status quo is not working, or people simply stop making the case for it.
"Devolved power-sharing institutions created a status quo that those of us who value Northern Ireland's place in the union can robustly and successfully promote and celebrate.
"So let no one tell you that power-sharing is at any way at odds with unionism.
"Instead it is the surest way by which Northern Ireland's place in the union can be secured," he said, in comments that prompted applause from the crowd.
Today, the Agreement 25 Conference will also see participation in a panel event by European Commission vice-president Maroš Šefčovič, and a panel event with Northern Ireland political leaders.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is scheduled to make a closing address to the conference tomorrow ahead of a dinner event which former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss are expected to attend.
The event at the Queen's University Belfast has seen the participation of major political figures including former US president Bill Clinton, former prime minister Tony Blair and former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
It was your future Hume and Trimble were thinking of, says Clinton
Separately, Mr Clinton addressed a special event being held in Derry to pay tribute to the late John Hume and David Trimble.
Mr Clinton said most people in the audience tonight were born after the Good Friday Agreement but "it was your future John Hume and David Trimble were thinking of".
'You have inherited a freedom to pursue your dreams instead of reliving your parent's nightmares'
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) April 18, 2023
Former US president Bill Clinton told an audience in Derry they are 'the hope... of places divided all over the world today' | Read more: https://t.co/P1aj6kYu3d pic.twitter.com/U1HwylmWwi
"You have inherited a freedom to pursue your dreams instead of reliving your parents' nightmares."
"You are the hope, not just of Northern Ireland but of places divided all over the world today."
He told the audience "you have to live in the present for the future", "that is the job imposed on everyone who has responsibility for others".
Organised by the John and Pat Hume Foundation, the event in the Guildhall was called "Making Hope and History Rhyme".
There was a standing ovation for Mr Clinton as he entered the hall at the start of the event.
He was welcomed by the host for the evening, Derry actor Bronagh Gallagher, as a long-standing partner in peace who was no stranger to the city and always welcome.
Tim Wheeler of the band Ash was the first musical guest and dedicated his performance to the late journalist Lyra McKee.
Ms McKee, 29, was shot dead by dissident republicans in Derry in April 2019 as she observed a riot in the Creggan area of the city.
Nicholas Trimble, son of the late David Trimble, spoke of his pride in his father. He described him and Mr Hume as "supermen" politically. He said they moved the immovable and overcame the insurmountable and brought peace to Northern Ireland.
Rachel Hume, granddaughter of John Hume, spoke of her pride in her grandfather and his dedication to bringing peace, before introducing Mr Clinton to the audience.
She said that because of her grandfather, an entire nation gets to live in a happier, more hopeful reality. Because of John Hume, she said her generation get to enjoy a peace and security often taken for granted.
A video tribute was also made to both Mr Hume and Mr Trimble by Bono of U2. There were performances from Neil Hannon and Roe.
Additional reporting, Eileen Magnier, PA
