THE SDLP and Fianna Fáil have held their first meeting as part of the parties' new partnership.
Delegations involving elected representatives from the parties met yesterday afternoon in Dublin.
The discussions focused on "Brexit and breaking the political paralysis and stalemate failing people living in the north", an SDLP spokeswoman said.
It comes after the SDLP held a special conference in Newry on Saturday in which a significant majority voted in favour of a closer working relationship with Fianna Fáil.
But the plan has been met with vocal opposition from some senior party members including ex-SDLP leader Bríd Rodgers and South Belfast MLA Claire Hanna, who has resigned as the party's Brexit spokesperson in protest.
Among those who attended yesterday's meeting in Dublin was the SDLP's newly appointed Brexit spokesperson, West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan.
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SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin were not in attendance.
The 'All-Island Partnership' plan's immediate focus will be on Brexit and restoring Stormont.
A "joint working group" involving representatives from both parties will be set up to "identify and develop new policies and solutions".
The parties will undertake a joint "programme of public engagement" to further the partnership's three broad policy areas – "politics that works", "better public services", and "uniting Ireland's people".
"In each area, the work will be underpinned by detailed polling and research and linked to a public forum followed by the publication of specific recommendations. A range of online and community-focused public engagement actions will be implemented," according to the plan circulated with SDLP members.
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Fianna Fáil and the SDLP will also work together to "provide enhanced research, electoral and organisational capacity".
An SDLP spokeswoman yesterday confirmed a delegation met Fianna Fáil representatives in Dublin yesterday afternoon "with the focus on Brexit and breaking the political paralysis and stalemate failing people living in the north".
"These issues are key priorities for us both in this new partnership. There is an urgent need for a new agenda for social protection, shared services, north/south bodies and many other areas, and this work will now begin to be progressed," she said.
"As we have consistently said, this partnership isn't about the next election, it is about the next generation – and today marks the next step in that process."
The partnership plan was announced last month in a joint press conference in Belfast.
It followed many months of well-trailed talks which fuelled speculation of a future merger, but both parties have downplayed the suggestion.
Ms Hanna had been critical of the plan, saying there was "no evidence" it would work. Ms Rodgers had expressed concerns it would threaten the SDLP's social democratic principles.
The SDLP leadership on Saturday said the new partnership "will be built on a genuine desire to deliver for people across Ireland".
