Governments signal new round of talks for North

Fresh talks to break the deadlock in the North's peace process are to be launched, the Irish and British governments have signalled.

Speaking from New York, Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said the time was right for a new round of negotiations.

They will focus on the outstanding issues, including disagreements on how to deal with flags, parades and the past, which she said were consuming ever increasing amounts of time and resources.

“Having spent a number of weeks consulting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland party leaders, I am strongly of the view that all party talks involving the two Governments are required to overcome the current political impasse within the Northern Ireland executive – including on the legacy issues of parades, flags and identity and dealing with the past,” he said.

“I believe it is now time for these talks to take place.”

Mr Flanagan said he will be in close contact with Ms Villiers and with the leaders of the Northern Ireland parties over the coming days.

“The Irish Government wishes to see the Institutions of the Good Friday Agreement not only function but flourish to the benefit of all,” he added.

“The two Governments have an important role to play in talks to resolve the current impasse.

“We support a fully functioning partnership government in Northern Ireland and will work with the political parties to facilitate the resolution of current difficulties and legacy issues.”

Mr Flanagan will tomorrow travel to Washington DC to meet with US Vice Presiden, Joe Biden and Secretary of Stat, John Kerry as well as other influential US political figures.

“I will be reiterating my message on the need for continued strong US support for the peace process in Northern Ireland,” he said,.

“Throughout the peace process, the unwavering support of successive US administrations has been critically important, as it will be again in addressing the current challenges.”

Speaking at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers said a new round of cross-party negotiations are to be convened.

Ms Villiers also appealed for unionists to get “back round the table” to try to resolve the impasse.

“I fully appreciate how very difficult these issues are, the roots of some of them date back centuries, but there are huge benefits for Northern Ireland if a way can be found to make progress on them,” she said.

The latest attempt to overcome outstanding issues in Northern Ireland follow the failure last year of talks led by US diplomat Richard Haass to broker an agreement on flags, parades and the past.

Both the Irish and British governments have come under pressure in recent months about their commitment to a resolution.

Separately, Stormont First and Deputy First Ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness have announced discussions with their counterparts in Scotland and Wales about the future of the UK.

The talks, following the independence referendum in Scotland, will explore possible reforms in how the nations and regions are governed.

In a statement, Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness said: “The Scottish Referendum has provided a unique opportunity to examine the process of constitutional change and the impact on devolved institutions.

“Following discussions on Friday, we have agreed to meet with the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond and the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones to identify what issues need to be addressed and how best to do so.

“There is a need for a new conversation with all the devolved institutions around the table. Through collaboration we will be better placed to work in a manner which benefits all our people.”