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17/09/2013
Richard Haass Talks To Begin
American diplomat Richard Haass is to begin chairing cross-party talks in Belfast which are designed to resolve contentious political issues in the region.
The talks will include parades, flags and Northern Ireland's past.
So far, NI's politicians have been unable to agree on a resolution to the issues and today Dr Haass will commence a series of bilateral meetings.
The first will be with SDLP and Sinn Féin at Belfast's Europa Hotel.
Over the next few days, the diplomat will also speak to community groups, church leaders and business representatives. The initial discussions will culminate with the first plenary session on Friday.
Speaking last week, Dr Haass said there was some urgency for progress following a "difficult" year of violence related to parades and protests.
The former US envoy met First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness in New York last week as a prelude to the talks.
It was the first time the region's leaders had been face-to-face after the DUP decided to withdraw its support for the Peace and Reconciliation centre at the former Maze site.
(JP/CD)
The talks will include parades, flags and Northern Ireland's past.
So far, NI's politicians have been unable to agree on a resolution to the issues and today Dr Haass will commence a series of bilateral meetings.
The first will be with SDLP and Sinn Féin at Belfast's Europa Hotel.
Over the next few days, the diplomat will also speak to community groups, church leaders and business representatives. The initial discussions will culminate with the first plenary session on Friday.
Speaking last week, Dr Haass said there was some urgency for progress following a "difficult" year of violence related to parades and protests.
The former US envoy met First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness in New York last week as a prelude to the talks.
It was the first time the region's leaders had been face-to-face after the DUP decided to withdraw its support for the Peace and Reconciliation centre at the former Maze site.
(JP/CD)
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25 February 2014
Cost Of Haass Talks Revealed
The cost of the Haass talks which took place last year has been revealed by the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister. The delegations cost the taxpayer almost a quarter of a million pounds, it said.
Cost Of Haass Talks Revealed
The cost of the Haass talks which took place last year has been revealed by the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister. The delegations cost the taxpayer almost a quarter of a million pounds, it said.
04 October 2013
New Parades Commissioners Sought
The Northern Ireland Secretary has announced a process to recruit a new five-member Commission to adjudicate sensitive parades. The term of the current Parades Commission members is due to end on 31 December 2013, however Theresa Villiers said new members may be found sooner if a decision can be made during the Haass talks.
New Parades Commissioners Sought
The Northern Ireland Secretary has announced a process to recruit a new five-member Commission to adjudicate sensitive parades. The term of the current Parades Commission members is due to end on 31 December 2013, however Theresa Villiers said new members may be found sooner if a decision can be made during the Haass talks.
30 September 2013
Orange March Request Criticised
An application by the Orange order to complete an 'unfinished' parade that began on 12 July this year has been criticised. The move follows a decision by the Parades Commission earlier this year to only let the Orange Order march through a predominantly Catholic area of north Belfast once.
Orange March Request Criticised
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13 August 2013
SDLP Supports Parades Call
SDLP Party Leader Alasdair McDonnell has publicly supported calls from the Chairman of the Police Federation, Terry Spence, to postpone all contentious parades over the next six months. "Since July last year over 500 officers have been injured; 64 over the course of last Thursday and Friday night," Mr Spence said.
SDLP Supports Parades Call
SDLP Party Leader Alasdair McDonnell has publicly supported calls from the Chairman of the Police Federation, Terry Spence, to postpone all contentious parades over the next six months. "Since July last year over 500 officers have been injured; 64 over the course of last Thursday and Friday night," Mr Spence said.
28 October 2013
Haass Returns For All-Party Talks
Former US envoy Richard Haass is due to return to NI to continue all-party talks on contentious issues, such as parades, flags and the region's history. The NI Executive chose Dr Haass to chair the discussions which aim to resolve the long-standing, and often controversial, issues.
Haass Returns For All-Party Talks
Former US envoy Richard Haass is due to return to NI to continue all-party talks on contentious issues, such as parades, flags and the region's history. The NI Executive chose Dr Haass to chair the discussions which aim to resolve the long-standing, and often controversial, issues.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
