Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 June 2013
5. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has informed himself of the topics discussed during cross community talks which where hosted by the PSNI in Cardiff, to discuss contentious parade disputes before the marching season, and relations between communities and the PSNI; and if he supports this initiative. [30776/13]
View answerI fully support the talks which were held in Cardiff on 18 and 19 May about the challenges facing policing in Belfast. The talks were organised by the PSNI, with representation from community leaders in the city. I was greatly encouraged by the cross-community nature of the meeting and the fact that the attendees included all of the main political parties, the Policing Board, community and church representatives. I understand the meeting was assisted by academics from Stanford University and Ulster University.
The statement issued following the conference was thoughtful and progressive. It is welcome that all participants in Cardiff were ready to commit themselves to support the police and non-violence, support for the rule of law and ongoing dialogue throughout the summer. The recognition of the imperative for dialogue when tensions are high is a significant and welcome development.
I was particularly encouraged by the fact that the participants had also agreed to keep lines of communication open, especially during periods of tension, and that they had reaffirmed support for the PSNI, the Policing Board and the police ombudsman. I am aware that the Cardiff group has recently met again in Belfast to together look at ways to implement these commitments in a concrete manner. This is also very encouraging.
I join the First Minister, the deputy First Minister, Minister David Ford and Chief Constable Matt Baggott in their call on all political and community representatives to redouble efforts to reduce parade related tensions in the coming weeks.
There was a good deal of scepticism and prior to the Cardiff conference many people thought that they were just going through the motions. I heard reports from people who had attended the conference that it had certainly helped to ease tensions prior to the march at the weekend, the first so-called Tour of the North parade. Those who participated in the Cardiff conference heard concerns and ideas about how to resolve difficult issues and, as the Tánaiste said, they talked about keeping lines of communication open at all times. Unfortunately, there was an incident at the weekend which resulted in the arrest by the PSNI of a young man. It happened after the march, by which stage much of the tension had eased. Mr. Gerry Kelly, a local MLA, went to the area to try to ease the tension and engage in dialogue and communication, but he ended up being caught on the side of a Land Rover. The Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín, was hurt in trying to prevent him from being injured. If commitments are made at conferences, it is important that they be followed through. I do not have all the detail of what happened and presume the Tánaiste has sought a report on the matter. The way the incident was viewed in the area was that the response had been handled badly. The policing was heavy handed and the communication promised did not happen. Mr. Alban Maginness of the SDLP said it had been really dangerous and that he felt that what had happened to Mr. Gerry Kelly was over the top. Everyone believed the commitments reached at the conference had helped to ease tensions.
I am concerned that if we do not follow through on our commitments, further incidents of this nature will take us backwards instead of allowing us to move forward.
As Deputy Crowe pointed out, it is important that we move forward. The Cardiff talks are ongoing and I understand there will be further meetings in Belfast. That engagement is to be welcomed and I hope it will ensure the language used during the parade season, particularly in respect of the 12th, will be measured and supportive of the difficult tasks the PSNI must carry out during the marching season. I understand it is not intended to continue the Cardiff process beyond the current marching season. My officials are in daily contact with the communities affected by contentious parades and we work closely with the British side on issues arising. It is important that dialogue is maintained at a local level.
I am aware of the incident to which Deputy Crowe referred. It is important that we do not lose sight of the necessity of supporting the police service during this difficult and sensitive period and minimising the provocation and tension associated with these parades. This can best be done by entering into discussions with all concerned. It is also important that the parades and their aftermaths are appropriately policed.
The first march of the season lays down a marker for what happens during the remainder of the season. The tension that emerged around this incident could have been better managed. It highlights how far we have left to go with policing.
Sinn Féin held a conference this month entitled Belfast: A City of Equals which was attended by various PSNI local officers. Representatives of the Unionist community were also invited. The conference provided an opportunity, on foot of the Cardiff talks, to discuss policing, community relations and other issues affecting the Unionist community. All of us share a responsibility for this process but it was a bad beginning to the marching season and, if we learned anything from the Cardiff talks, it is that we must keep open the channels of communications. That is the message I would like to send to the Orange Order and others. We need to engage with each other's communities and step back to consider our responsibilities during the marching season.
I agree that everybody shares a responsibility to step back. The Cardiff statement contains a number of elements, the first of which is respect for the PSNI's duty to uphold the law, while at the same time holding it to account. The appropriate way to hold the PSNI to account is by means of the Northern Ireland Policing Board. I encourage everybody to minimise tensions during the parading season by engaging in discussion and dialogue. Where the Parades Commission makes a determination, it should be supported and upheld.
