Published Monday, 21 September 2009
Flaws in the method of passing controversial legislation need to be tackled, Peter Robinson added.
But he said progress so far had left people immeasurably better off.
Sinn Fein has vowed to protect the current system which requires a majority of nationalists to agree to important changes before they are implemented.
But DUP leader Mr Robinson said: "I have always viewed the current arrangements as a staging post to a form of devolution that operates within democratic norms.
Addressing the flaws in the present system is an essential step on that journey.
"As devolution changes in Cardiff and Edinburgh so too in Belfast.
It speaks volumes that Northern Ireland, for so long on the periphery of British political life, is now playing its full part in the debate about the future of the United Kingdom in the era of devolution."
Sinn Fein branded Mr Robinson`s earlier comments "fantasy politics". It has pointed out that the current arrangements, designed to prevent a unionist majority from pushing through legislation opposed by nationalists, were agreed between all the parties and promised to protect them.
Earlier Mr Robinson said there was no need to wait until 2015 to change voting rules and end community designation.
Where a cross-community vote is required by legislation, or triggered by a petition of concern, his proposal would require the support of 65% of Assembly members present and voting to pass.
He said this would mean no single political party would have the capacity to block proposals which otherwise could command widespread support.
Today he added: "I am not questioning the benefits of devolution. What I firmly believe is that we could do better and I remind all the other parties that on some issues there is a winner and there is a loser but on the issue of delivering good government we will all win or we will all lose."
The Stormont voting system - created by the Good Friday Agreement - effectively hands those who control most unionist or most nationalist votes a veto over any initiative and was meant to act as a guarantee to either side.
The DUP leader is pressing for powers over policing and justice to be handed to Stormont once funds from London are in place.