Conor Lenihan
Question:85 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will seek to persuade the Orange Order to suspend all of its contentious parades in 1998 in recognition of the referendum on the Peace Agreement. [12727/98]
Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Marches.
Conor Lenihan
Question:86 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans, if any, he has to meet with the British Northern Secretary regarding the parades issue. [12728/98]
Conor Lenihan
Question:87 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations, if any, he will make on behalf of the residents of the Lower Ormeau Road and the Garvaghy Road with regard to contentious Orange Order parades through their area. [12729/98]
Conor Lenihan
Question:88 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures, if any, he will be taking to prevent serious disputes in the Six counties in view of the forthcoming marching season. [12730/98]
Conor Lenihan
Question:89 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans, if any, he has to convene weekly party talks between all involved to prevent violence during the marching season in Northern Ireland. [12839/98]
Conor Lenihan
Question:90 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's attitude to the holding of controversial orange marches through nationalist areas. [12840/98]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 85, 86, 87, 88, 89 and 90 together.
As we face into another marching season, and in the context of the resounding support for the British-Irish Agreement shown by the outcome of the recent referendum, I would urge those on all sides who are most directly involved in contentious parades to listen to the demand of the people for peace and mutual accommodation.
The two Governments and the political parties reached agreement on 10 April last. The people strongly endorsed that Agreement on 22 May. It is now the responsibility of those involved in contentious parades to make their contribution to peace and reconciliation by reaching agreements through dialogue and mutual accommodation.
I believe the Parades Commission, now operating with full statutory powers, can play a valuable role in the search for a peaceful resolution to contentious parades. As I stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question Nos. 21 and 53 on 28 May, the commission must approach its task in an even-handed way and its decisions must be seen to be impartial, fair and consistent with the principles of dialogue and agreement which underpin its approach. The Parades Commission recently met the Taoiseach and had valuable discussions with Government officials. I also understand the Commission met the representatives of the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body on 29 May. The Government welcomes all such dialogue and engagement as a significant contribution to a greater understanding of the issues underlying contentious parades.
As the Deputy will recall, last year — and in the wake of the traumatic events on the Garvaghy Road — the Orange Order voluntarily rerouted Twelfth parades away from key contentious areas. Their restraint, and that of others, was welcomed by the Government. I hope this year we can build on that achievement in relation to all contentious parades in Nationalist areas.
The Government will do everything it can to encourage agreement and accommodation during this marching season. We will continue our discussions with the British Government. The Taoiseach and I recently met representatives of the resident groups from the Garvaghy Road in Portadown and the Lower Ormeau Road in Belfast. In representations on these, as on all contentious parades, we will continue to emphasise the importance of local dialogue in the search for agreement.
As we approach the most contentious parades in July, I anticipate that meetings and consultations among all sides will intensify as we search for a peaceful outcome to this year's marching season. The Government will explore and exploit all opportunities to that end, including of course with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.