Foreign Affairs Minister to discuss Stormont stalemate with NI Secretary

Foreign Affairs minister Charlie Flanagan is meeting the Northern Secretary Theresa Villiers in Dublin today, ahead of efforts to break the stalemate at Stormont.

All-party talks are due to take place mid-month aimed at dealing with outstanding issues such as parades, flags and identity, and dealing with the past.

Over recent months, there have been a number of major stumbling blocks at Stormont.

They include the current budget difficulties over welfare reform, the row over so-called on-the-run paramilitary suspects, the scrapping of the Maze peace centre and reports of a deteriorating relationship between First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs will meet with Villiers to discuss how to deal with these issues.

Charlie Flanagan said the current difficulties and legacy issues continue to have a corrosive effect on government and across the community in the North.

Meanwhile, senior US politicians and diplomats are warning the North's leaders to end the stalemate at Stormont.

A letter sent to Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness came from figures who had direct involvement in the peace process.

They have warned that the peace process is losing its power to inspire, and also expressed their fears that a new generation could return to violence.