Irish PM disappointed at inter-party talks in Northern Ireland

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said on Tuesday he was "disappointed" at the just-ended inter-party talks in Northern Ireland, which had concluded without reaching agreement. "I believe this will also come as a disappointment to the people of Northern Ireland," he said in a statement. "It should be said that significant effort went into the talks. I hope that the period ahead can be used to build on that effort, and provide a basis for a future agreement," he added. In the statement, Kenny urged all the political parties in Northern Ireland to "reflect on the progress that had been achieved." Kenny said his government "stands ready to work with the Northern Ireland Executive and with the British government to support further efforts to achieve greater peace and build a united community in Northern Ireland." Northern Ireland's five political parties have failed to reach agreement after marathon overnight talks in Belfast chaired by former U.S. diplomat Richard Haass. The talks was aimed at resolving longterm differences of disputed parades, the flying of flags and addressing the past. No date has been set to resume the talks that were started five months ago after some of the worst violence in Northern Ireland since the power-sharing agreement was signed in 1998.