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25/02/2014
Cost Of Haass Talks Revealed
The cost of the Haass talks which took place last year has been revealed by the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister.
The delegations cost the taxpayer almost a quarter of a million pounds, it said.
Between July and December 2013, former American diplomat, Dr Richard Haass, and Professor Meghan O'Sullivan, who is an expert in international affairs, visited Northern Ireland on a number of occasions to hold discussions on some of the regions most contentious issues. These issues were flags, parades and the past. During the talks, both Haass and O'Sullivan met with NI's five main political parties, a number of community groups, organisations and individuals on how to come to an agreement.
A Christmas 2013 deadline was set, but no agreement was reached, and after a further seven drafts of a possible solution, Haass was unable to strike a deal with the politicians on how to move forward.
It is understood Dr Haass and Professor O'Sullivan offered their services for free, but the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister has now said that cost of the talks to taxpayers was £243,748.49.
Breaking it down, some £132,737.94 was spent on travel and accommodation, £21,800 on support staff and a further £89,210.55 on "associated administrative costs".
Northern Ireland's politicians continue to discuss the Haass proposals.
(JP/CD)
The delegations cost the taxpayer almost a quarter of a million pounds, it said.
Between July and December 2013, former American diplomat, Dr Richard Haass, and Professor Meghan O'Sullivan, who is an expert in international affairs, visited Northern Ireland on a number of occasions to hold discussions on some of the regions most contentious issues. These issues were flags, parades and the past. During the talks, both Haass and O'Sullivan met with NI's five main political parties, a number of community groups, organisations and individuals on how to come to an agreement.
A Christmas 2013 deadline was set, but no agreement was reached, and after a further seven drafts of a possible solution, Haass was unable to strike a deal with the politicians on how to move forward.
It is understood Dr Haass and Professor O'Sullivan offered their services for free, but the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister has now said that cost of the talks to taxpayers was £243,748.49.
Breaking it down, some £132,737.94 was spent on travel and accommodation, £21,800 on support staff and a further £89,210.55 on "associated administrative costs".
Northern Ireland's politicians continue to discuss the Haass proposals.
(JP/CD)
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