This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-25480315

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Northern Ireland parties give response to Richard Haass proposals Northern Ireland parties receive more Richard Haass proposals
(35 minutes later)
The five Northern Ireland Executive parties have been submitting their latest responses to proposals on parades, flags and the past. Former US diplomat Richard Haass has given the five Northern Ireland Executive parties revised proposals on how to deal with parades, flags and the past.
Politicians spent much of Saturday examining the latest document produced by former US diplomat Richard Haass. Sources suggest this latest draft document recommends a separate process to deal with flags.
Based on their responses, Dr Haass and his vice chair Meghan O'Sullivan will then send the parties a fresh draft paper on Sunday afternoon. An earlier draft was rejected by unionists who had major concerns particularly over this issue.
This will form the basis for further round-table talks on Monday morning. This latest version will form the basis for more round-table talks on Monday.
In a tweet just before 06:30 GMT on Sunday, Dr Haass said: "Up and working on new draft, integrating as best we can suggestions from parties. Goal to produce/circulate new (3rd) draft early afternoon." Dr Haass and Harvard professor Meghan O'Sullivan were brought to Northern Ireland in July by the first and deputy first ministers, with an aim of finding consensus on a range of thorny issues by the end of the year.
Dr Haass and Prof O'Sullivan were brought to Northern Ireland in July by the first and deputy first ministers, with an aim of finding consensus on a range of thorny issues by the end of the year.
Lord Eames, who co-chaired a previous attempt to deal with the legacy of the Troubles, said Northern Ireland's past was the "interlocking theme" of the talks and needed to be "unravelled once and for all".Lord Eames, who co-chaired a previous attempt to deal with the legacy of the Troubles, said Northern Ireland's past was the "interlocking theme" of the talks and needed to be "unravelled once and for all".
"Our dark days, as we call it, are constantly eating away at our hopes for the future, and my hope and prayer is that the Haass talks will produce some formula that will allow us to see justice as well as unravelling this morass in the past," he said."Our dark days, as we call it, are constantly eating away at our hopes for the future, and my hope and prayer is that the Haass talks will produce some formula that will allow us to see justice as well as unravelling this morass in the past," he said.
"A new generation is now in Northern Ireland that has not had to endure what we have seen in the past - they have a right to look forward to a future where there is some sort of security, stability and hope."A new generation is now in Northern Ireland that has not had to endure what we have seen in the past - they have a right to look forward to a future where there is some sort of security, stability and hope.
"I believe this Haass process has the opportunity now, if only we have the courage politically to grasp these possibilities, to put these things to bed.""I believe this Haass process has the opportunity now, if only we have the courage politically to grasp these possibilities, to put these things to bed."
'No stone unturned'
An earlier draft of the report by Dr Haass was rejected by unionists who had major concerns particularly over the issue of flags.
On Friday, Dr Haass said he would leave "no stone unturned" in an effort to reach an agreement with the parties before Christmas.On Friday, Dr Haass said he would leave "no stone unturned" in an effort to reach an agreement with the parties before Christmas.
"We have made real progress on parades and the past," he said."We have made real progress on parades and the past," he said.
"We shall see where we come out on flags," he added, suggesting that this was the sticking point."We shall see where we come out on flags," he added, suggesting that this was the sticking point.
Dr Haass said it would be "a real loss" if agreement could not be reached.Dr Haass said it would be "a real loss" if agreement could not be reached.
"Much progress has been made and much remains to be resolved," he said. "We are getting close to crunch time.""Much progress has been made and much remains to be resolved," he said. "We are getting close to crunch time."
He said it was now up to the parties and "how much they want agreement and how intolerable they find the status quo."He said it was now up to the parties and "how much they want agreement and how intolerable they find the status quo."