I propose taking Questions Nos. 8 and 50 together.
The Government believes that the right to march carries a responsibility to respect the principle that parades should not take place in an area, or along a route, where they are not welcome. I have consistently raised the implications of this principle in discussions with the British Government in the framework of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference.
The manner of the policing of parades is also raised on an ongoing basis with the British authorities. The Government has repeatedly emphasised the importance of the police sensitively handling such situations.
At the most recent meeting of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 17 October 1995, I expressed concern about various incidents during the recent marching season. I urged the British authorities to consider the steps they could take to prevent a recurrence of such incidents next year. In particular I made clear the Government's view that the use of the public order Order to reroute parades should be considered where necessary. The conference communiqué expressed the hope that confrontations would be avoided in future by advance agreements among all concerned.
I assure the Deputies that I will keep this issue under constant review in the context of the ongoing contacts with the British Government. The 1996 marching season will certainly be the subject of further intense discussion in the framework of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference.