Northern Ireland parties reach historic deal on past, future

British government and Northern Ireland's political parties on Tuesday reached an agreement on the region's political and economic future after nearly three months of intensive talks.

The talks, attended by British government officials, Northern Ireland's main political parties, and Irish government representatives, sought to strike a deal to resolve the long-standing issues of welfare reform, flags, tradition, parades, and the past in the region.

"I am delighted that a workable agreement has been reached that can allow Northern Ireland to enjoy a brighter, more prosperous future, while at the same time finally being able to deal with its past," British Prime Minister David Cameron said in a statement.

He added that the agreement enables British government to "offer a significant financial package that opens the way for more prosperity, stability and economic security for Northern Ireland."

"It means the parties can now genuinely begin to overcome the key outstanding issues which have been unresolved since the Belfast Agreement," Cameron noted.

According to the deal, the total value of the government package represents additional spending power of almost 2 billion pounds (about 3.1 billion U.S. dollars) to help Northern Ireland develop its priorities.

Legislation will be brought before the local legislature in January 2015 to give effect to welfare changes alongside further work to develop and implement flexibilities and top-ups from the block grant as part of a package of measures to address local need.

As part of the transition to long-term peace and stability, the deal has decided to adopt an approach to dealing with Northern Ireland's past under the principles of "promoting reconciliation" and "upholding the rule of law."

The Northern Ireland Executive will also take steps to ensure that victims and survivors of the region's turbulent era of Troubles have access to high quality services, respecting the principles of choice and need.

The deal also includes proposed legislation to establish a new independent body to take forward investigations into outstanding Troubles-related deaths.

Paying tribute to all those involved in the talks, Cameron described the deal as a "historic agreement has been long in the making."

"We will now all work collaboratively to see this through. The people of Northern Ireland deserve nothing less," he noted.

Peter Robinson, Northern Ireland's first minister and Democratic union  ist Party leader, said "it's a good deal for Northern Ireland."

"We have come through some very dark days in Northern Ireland. I don't want to see us stepping back," said Robinson.

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