Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 5

Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Marches.

Liz McManus

Question:

21 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans, if any, the Government has to take any initiative in co-operation with the British authorities to ensure that the onset of the marching season in Northern Ireland does not lead to communal conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12500/98]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

53 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has raised with the British Prime Minister the need for him to strongly urge the loyalist orders to engage immediately in dialogue with local residents' groups in areas of contentious parades; and if he has raised the need to prevent the imposition of parades on communities where they are unwelcome. [12119/98]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 53 together.

The Government is concerned at the potential for a difficult marching season this year. It is important that the historic achievement of the Good Friday Agreement which has been so resoundingly endorsed by the people, North and South, is not threatened or undermined by a difficult marching season. It is equally important that the people of Northern Ireland are spared the trauma that has accompanied the marching season in recent years with attendant damage to cross-community relations.

We have had some discussion with the British Government on this year's marching season and our contacts at political and official level will be intensified in the period ahead. The Taoiseach and I also met earlier this week with representatives of the residents groups from the Garvaghy Road in Portadown and the Lower Ormeau Road in Belfast to discuss the latest situation in their areas. In all our contacts, we are emphasising the importance of local dialogue and of all concerned contributing to it.

The Parades Commission, which is now operating with statutory backing and powers, has an important role to play. To that end, the commission must approach its task in an even-handed way and be seen to be fair and impartial in its decisions, particularly in the critical period immediately ahead. The chairman of the commission and some of his colleagues were in Dublin yesterday and saw the Taoiseach. They also had valuable meetings with officials.

I continue to believe that local agreement, based on mutual respect and accommodation of the respective rights and traditions of both communities, is the best way of resolving the problems surrounding contentious parades. I hope that dialogue can be facilitated in an effort to resolve the impasse which exists in a number of areas. I welcome recent developments in Dunloy and at Harryville and hope that we will see similar positive developments elsewhere.

I can assure the Deputies that the parades issue will receive the closest attention in the weeks ahead and that the Government will do all it can to encourage an accommodation on this issue.