Archbishop pleads for progress on peace deal

Lord Robin Eames has urged political parties in Northern Ireland to reach agreement on dealing with the past (Peter Muhly/Getty Images)

A senior church figure has urged political parties in Northern Ireland to reach agreement on dealing with the past.

Former Church of Ireland archbishop Lord Robin Eames said the dark legacy of the past needed to be unravelled once and for all.

All sides in Belfast are scrutinising revised proposals from the former US diplomat Richard Haass who was brought in to help reach agreement on issues unresolved by the peace process.

The proposals cover how to deal with parades, flags and the fall out from more than 3,000 conflict deaths. Dr Eames said: “I believe this Haass process has the opportunity now... to put these things to bed.”