Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 March 2013
89. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the Parades Commission remit should be expanded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10972/13]
View answer90. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he discussed broadening the role of the Parades Commission with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10970/13]
View answer91. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he discussed the Parades Commission and extending its role at his recent meetings with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10969/13]
View answer93. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with the First Minister and-or Deputy First Minister the need to bring clarity to the exact authority of the Parades Commission and its jurisdiction over non-notified parades as serious difficulties have emerged with non-notified parades recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9702/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 89 to 91, inclusive, and 93 together.
I have discussed the role of the Parades Commission in the context of non-notified parades and the upcoming marching season with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers on a number of occasions.
I have also discussed these issues in regular ongoing contacts with the party leaders in Northern Ireland, and most recently in Washington DC with the First and Deputy First Ministers.
I think it is important to put right the view that there is a legislative vacuum around the flags protest. This is not the case, as is illustrated by the fact that over 200 people have been charged with a variety of offences since the protests began.
There is however an ongoing debate regarding the extent, if any, to which existing legislation needs to be strengthened to enhance the remit of the Commission in these matters. There is no cross community consensus on this matter. Indeed, some unionist community representatives, far from wanting the Commission’s role extended, want it abolished completely.
What is important at present is that where the Parades Commission has jurisdiction all parties cooperate with it and respect its determinations. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and I are fully in agreement on this issue. Furthermore, we are agreed that the police should be fully supported in their attempts to maintain public order.
My understanding is that the current debate will be further informed by the outcome of the recent judicial review proceedings which have been instituted by a resident in the nationalist Short Strand Community in Belfast – an area which has been greatly affected by the flags dispute. In the circumstances I think it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.
