Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 March 2013
70. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions, if any, he has had with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State or with members of the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to parades and their oversight over the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15887/13]
View answerI 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.
