Northern Ireland Secretary Mr Paul Murphy said today he expected the same level of commitment to the peace process from the North's politicians as he had encountered as a junior minister at Stormont.
During a visit to a shopping centre in Bangor, Co Down, Mr Murphy, on his first official engagement in his new post, confirmed that he had made initial contact with some political leaders.
"It's good to be back," the former Northern Ireland Office junior minister said.
"I said that in London yesterday and I particularly like saying it again here in Northern Ireland today.
"Clearly, I have got a lot of listening to do over the next few weeks.
"I have started already by listening to my ministerial colleagues and I have obviously talked to David Trimble and Mark Durkan.
"We will be talking to the leaders of the other parties over the course of the next few hours and of course, learning, listening and reading and hope then to talk in a lot more detail to people who are in the know."