No agreement, but Haass proposal published

Northern Ireland political parties failed to adopt a proposed agreement on flags, parades and the legacy of the Troubles in the final hours of 2013. But the proposal by Dr. Richard Haass has been published by the government.

It begins,

We in Northern Ireland have come a long way. … Despite [many] positive steps, we have further distance to travel. Many continue to await the end of sectarianism and the peace dividend that should be all citizens’ due.

Here’s a quick keyword highlight from the text: flag/s, 36; past, 42; union, 5; republican, 1; Catholic, 0; Protestant, 0; parade/s, 37; (political) parties, 27; Good Friday Agreement, 4; vote, 2; violence, 15; peace, 13.