The Rev Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness have publicly committed themselves to confronting a series of politically sensitive issues as part of their joint programme for government.
Speaking to the Committee of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, which scrutinises their work, they jointly dealt with questions about the bodies of the so-called disappeared, the murder of missing British army captain Robert Nairac, equality issues, and plans to assist victims and survivors of the Troubles.
In a 75-minute meeting they emphasised their mutual agreement and respect in an often light-hearted manner, despite the gravity of the issues before them.
Dr Paisley used the session to repeat his insistence that incoming British prime minister Gordon Brown deal with the question of Northern Ireland's levels of tax compared with those in the Republic.
Mr Brown, who succeeds Tony Blair next Wednesday, "cannot keep us dangling on a string" in relation to corporation tax, said Dr Paisley.
In response to rumours that the incoming prime minister is not planning to attend the next meeting of the British-Irish Council, Dr Paisley also said that the east-west body would not see him in attendance either unless Mr Brown confirms he will turn up.
In his opening remarks to the committee Dr Paisley offered a positive assessment of devolution to the powersharing executive to date.
It is a "healthy baby", he said, and one which will grow stronger when it is weaned from milk.
The programme for government has identified five priorities, he added. These are growing a dynamic economy; building a fair and stable society; rebuilding Northern Ireland infrastructure; the provision of high quality public services; and protection of the environment and natural resources.
The First Minister and Deputy First Minister said they would work to ensure the priorities of the Executive were addressed, he added, including the unresolved issues relating to water charges, the review of public administration, and the controversial 11-plus schools transfer examination.
A draft programme of work would be complete after the summer recess and views from the committee were welcome.
Mr McGuinness stressed the need to build an equal society which recognised the interdependence of all sides in the community.
Speaking in advance of an expected announcement by Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain about an interim body to address the legacy of the past, Mr McGuinness confirmed his belief that conflict was over.
He said time was needed to heal wounds and fractured communities. Violence has no place in this or any other society, he said.
A victims' strategy was being drawn up and the "vexed issue of the past", which he said was one of the "outstanding failures" since 1998, would be confronted.
He repeated that anyone with information regarding the bodies of the disappeared, including Capt Nairac, should come forward with it.
In response to further questions, Dr Paisley promised he and Mr McGuinness would address planning problems, in particular the 600 per cent rise in planning appeals and the resulting logjam in the planning process.
"How it got into this state I don't know," he said.
Mr McGuinness, questioned about the persistence of high rates of Catholic unemployment, said the planned equality Bill would tie together 30 years of equality legislation and extend and update their provision.
In conclusion both Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness promised their closest possible co-operation with the committee and with Ministers.
"We are taking this committee into our view before we do anything," said Dr Paisley. "After all we are democrats."