Political leaders in the North have reached agreement on a range of issues following lengthy talks at Stormont.

Under the terms of the deal a commission on flags, identity and culture will be set up

Responsibility for parades will be devolved to the NI assembly and a plan for financial and welfare reform has been agreed.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan said “Very significantly, it establishes a new comprehensive framework for dealing with the corrosive legacy of the Past. This framework includes an oral history archive; a dedicated Historical Investigations Unit which will investigate Troubles-related deaths; and an Independent Commission on Information Retrieval to enable victims and survivors to seek and receive information about the death of their loved ones.

“As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, this Government is conscious of our responsibilities to all of the people of this island. The last three months have involved a huge commitment from both the Governments and from all of the parties concerned.  Minister of State Sherlock and I, with the support of the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, were privileged to carry out this work. We will continue to advance political progress and to play our part in the implementation of today's Agreement. This will help to ensure that the huge potential in the Agreement is realised.

The deal includes a financial package from the UK government worth nearly £2 billion. Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams is pleased with the deal reached however he added that there is more progress to be made:

Commissions will also help people find information about events during The Troubles. Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness says the hard work's paid off: