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Updated 4.10pm
A BROAD AGREEMENT has been brokered between Northern Ireland’s politicians who’ve been seeking a deal on a range of issues affecting the power-sharing administration.
The talks on welfare reform, flags, parades and the past have continued for the past 12 weeks including the past 30 hours at Stormont House. Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers had set a firm deadline of today for an agreement to be reached.
In a statement a short time ago, the Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said a “broad agreement” was reached and said this covers the four main issues.
David Cameron / TwitterI am delighted that a workable agreement has been reached that can allow Northern Ireland to enjoy a brighter, more prosperous future.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) December 23, 2014
Here are some of the main points of the Stormont House Agreement:
A commission is to be set up as “way forward” on the issues of flags, identity, culture and tradition, Flanagan said.
A comprehensive framework for dealing with the “corrosive legacy of the past” has also been laid out.
TheJournal Politics / TwitterGerry Adams: "Like all the parties I want to get home for Christmas. We've been here a very very long time." #newsatone
— TheJournal Politics (@TJ_Politics) December 23, 2014
“This framework includes an oral history archive; a dedicated Historical Investigations Unit which will investigate Troubles-related deaths; and an Independent Commission on Information Retrieval to enable victims and survivors to seek and receive information about the death of their loved ones,” Flanagan explained.
Gerry Adams / TwitterSinn Féin's Negotiations Team will be recommending todays proposals 2 SF Ard Chomairle. Good progress 2day. Must Continue in New Year.
— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) December 23, 2014
BBC News reported that the North’s First Minister Peter Robinson said he would be recommending the agreement to the Democratic Unionist Party’s executive.
The Ulster Unionist Party’s Mike Nesbitt said that he would ask his party to give the proposals “a fair wind” while saying no party was able to agree a 100 per cent endorsement.
As the talks progressed earlier politicians were tweeting during breaks in meetings with Sinn Féin MLA and NI First Minister Martin McGuinness tweeting this:
Martin McGuinness / TwitterAt the eve of Christmas Eve negotiations !!#sleepless pic.twitter.com/974o5X7Jew
— Martin McGuinness (@M_McGuinness_SF) December 23, 2014
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams followed up with this version of the selfie:
Gerry Adams / TwitterWhats the difference between this Selfie & Martin McG's? Conor Murphy & others. Níl aon selfie mar do selfie fhéin. pic.twitter.com/6WUgEIhr2q
— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) December 23, 2014
On a more serious note, the Ulster Unionist MLA was not optimistic as dawn broke over Stormont earlier:
Tom Elliott / TwitterSuch a shambles - told government paper would be ready at 1am, then it was 2am, then 3am, its now 7am and still waiting and waiting........
— Tom Elliott MLA (@TB_Elliott) December 23, 2014
Yesterday, the British Prime Minister David Cameron made an offer of £1.5 billion in loans and grants over the next decade following a request for £2 billion package from the Northern Executive.
While the UK has improved it’s latest financial offer it was not keen to write off £214 million in fines levied on the Executive because of delays in implementing reforms introduced in the rest of the UK nearly three years ago.
Gerry Adams / TwitterI will get by with a little help from my friends.
— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) December 23, 2014
The BBC’s Northern Ireland political editor Mark Devenport had earlier said that the main sticking point was how to deal with the legacy of the past and in particular the remit of agencies being set up to deal with historical issues.
The millions of pounds in grants and loans over the next decade had been conditional on a deal being reached on outstanding legacy issues.
The Irish government’s Minister of State for North-South Cooperation, Seán Sherlock, who is involved in the talks, had some compelling listening to do in between meetings:
While others, such as Sinn Féin’s Gerry Kelly, were finding some odd places to sleep:
Martin McGuinness / TwitterTough negotiations !! Gerry Kelly's wee #snooze for Ireland !! pic.twitter.com/LVZ90GKf5m
— Martin McGuinness (@M_McGuinness_SF) December 22, 2014
First published 7.37am
Happens all the time, hardly news.
@Eamonn Duggan: No it doesn’t. It takes nine months.
Why bother let Patrick Nevin back out at all??
@James Lyons: he’s going to enjoy those prison showers.
Fairly routine stuff. Probably diverted as didn’t want to sit on hold. There are at least five or six flying on hold right now I can see.
@Nauris Serna: you must have great eyesight
@Tweety McTweeter: I’ve no beak or wattle to restrict it.
@Tweety McTweeter: nah. He downloaded Flightradar24. Great app! Whilst I’m typing I wonder if the baby will be granted Irish Citizenship!
@Tweety McTweeter: Great eyesight indeed. Next he’ll be telling us that he can see what is happening on the surface of Mars.
Ya twas windy alright.
Slow news day
Delighted when the plane gets diverted. No chances.
Who farted?
Did a human actually write that first paragraph ? Surely not.
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