The Minister for Foreign Affairs says the window of opportunity to reach political agreement in Northern Ireland is rapidly closing.

Charlie Flanagan returns to Belfast this week for political talks at Stormont - involving the Northern Ireland Executive parties and the British and Irish Governments.

Minister Flanagan says progress must be made in the coming days.

Negotiations on issues including state funding ended without agreement last Friday, despite the presence of the British Prime Minister David Cameron and the Taoiseach Enda Kenny.