Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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447. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the specific barriers that are preventing agreement in Northern Ireland on issues surrounding flags, parades and dealing with the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48983/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Legacy issues (parades, flags and identity issues, and dealing with the past) as well as budgetary and financial issues, institutional reform and, outstanding commitments from the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements, have been the subject of the ongoing political talks in Belfast first convened by the British and Irish Governments on 16 October. Since then, in excess of 90 meetings have been held across the four streams of the talks.Whilst some significant gaps remain, good progress has been made on many of the most difficult challenges, including in relation to legacy issues. Northern Ireland remains a very deeply divided society and, in this context, legacy issues present particular challenges. It is encouraging, therefore, that the stream of the talks dealing with legacy issues (in particular, addressing the contentions of the past) has been one of the most productive with all Executive parties showing a commitment to make progress on these issues. On welfare reform and broader issues around budgets, a number of challenging decisions have still to be faced in the context of the talks. I am anxious that further progress is made on all issues so that a comprehensive agreement can be achieved.

I am in Belfast again this week for talks, as is Minister of State Sherlock. There is now a very limited window of opportunity if agreement is to be reached. It is clear that compromises will be needed from all participants. Political representatives must show the breadth and depth of leadership required to secure an overall agreement for the benefit of people across this island.