Joe Higgins
Question:57 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has discussed the conduct of the approaching marching season in Northern Ireland with the Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr. Mo Mowlam. [6224/98]
Written Answers - Northern Ireland Marching Season.
At a meeting of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference held in Dublin on 5 March 1998, I availed of the opportunity to discuss the forthcoming marching season and the recent appointments to the Parades Commission with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Parades Commission has now been established on a statutory basis. I raised the negative reaction in the nationalist community to the recent appointments to the commission. I believe, however, that the commission can still play a useful and constructive role if it succeeds in securing the confidence and support of both communities. It must, in particular, approach its task in an even-handed way and be seen to be fair and impartial in its decision.
The Government continues to believe that local agreement is the best way of resolving the problems surrounding contentious parades. I hope this year the people of Northern Ireland will be spared the trauma which has accompanied the marching season in recent years. I will closely monitor developments on the parades issue in the weeks and months ahead.