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NI parties to hold round-table talks with Richard Haass | NI parties to hold round-table talks with Richard Haass |
(35 minutes later) | |
The five Northern Ireland Executive parties are to hold round-table talks later on the latest proposals for dealing with parades, flags and the past. | The five Northern Ireland Executive parties are to hold round-table talks later on the latest proposals for dealing with parades, flags and the past. |
Former US diplomat Richard Haass gave them a third draft document on Sunday. | Former US diplomat Richard Haass gave them a third draft document on Sunday. |
The new, 30-page document recommends a separate process to deal with flags, as the parties could not reach consensus on the issue. | The new, 30-page document recommends a separate process to deal with flags, as the parties could not reach consensus on the issue. |
Unionists had rejected a previous draft because of concerns about flags. | Unionists had rejected a previous draft because of concerns about flags. |
Their objections had centred on the suggestion of a licensing scheme that would have meant permits being issued for the flying of flags on the streets. | Their objections had centred on the suggestion of a licensing scheme that would have meant permits being issued for the flying of flags on the streets. |
'Go home' | |
Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said on Sunday that he was "not happy, but happier" with the latest proposals. | Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said on Sunday that he was "not happy, but happier" with the latest proposals. |
"This Haass Three does not anticipate an agreement among the parties on how to deal with flags during the timeframe of this process and therefore there wouldn't be a link between flags and parades," Mr Nesbitt said. | "This Haass Three does not anticipate an agreement among the parties on how to deal with flags during the timeframe of this process and therefore there wouldn't be a link between flags and parades," Mr Nesbitt said. |
Meanwhile, his party colleague Michael Copeland has apologised for saying that Dr Haass should "go home and leave us who live here to mend our ways". | |
The East Belfast UUP MLA was speaking at a loyalist rally in north Belfast at the weekend. | |
Mr Copeland made the remarks as he criticised Dr Haass' proposal to license the flying of flags. | |
In a statement on Monday, the UUP MLA said: "I deeply regret any offence taken by anyone following my comments at the weekend, for none was intended." | |
Mr Copeland said he had spoken "as I always do from the heart" but added that he "intended no disrespect to Mr Haass". | |
"I fully support the efforts of my party leader and the others involved in this process," Mr Copeland said. | |
Christmas deadline | Christmas deadline |
Politicians have been providing feedback on the proposals to Dr Haass and his team, and a revised version will form the basis for Monday's round-table talks. | |
Plans for councils to carry out an audit on what memorials they have on their premises has also been removed from the latest round of the diplomat's proposals. | |
The DUP said it would not carry out any negotiations on a Sunday, but this would not rule out a busy period after midnight and on Monday morning. | The DUP said it would not carry out any negotiations on a Sunday, but this would not rule out a busy period after midnight and on Monday morning. |
Writing on his Twitter account during the early hours of Monday morning, Dr Haass tweeted: "Long day, but not yet where we need to be. Much to be settled before Christmas; won't be easy, but surely worth it for Northern Ireland." | Writing on his Twitter account during the early hours of Monday morning, Dr Haass tweeted: "Long day, but not yet where we need to be. Much to be settled before Christmas; won't be easy, but surely worth it for Northern Ireland." |
The SDLP's Alex Attwood said that for his party, dealing with the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland remained the most difficult issue. | The SDLP's Alex Attwood said that for his party, dealing with the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland remained the most difficult issue. |
"The big test is going to be the past and dealing with that, as we've always said, in a comprehensive and ethical way, so that people know that in going forward the truth of the past is going to become known," Mr Attwood said. | "The big test is going to be the past and dealing with that, as we've always said, in a comprehensive and ethical way, so that people know that in going forward the truth of the past is going to become known," Mr Attwood said. |
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. |
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 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. |