Vol. 459 No. 5
8 Mr. Cullen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress, if any, that has been made in discussions with the British Government in relation to the 1996 marching seasons to ensure that the scenes of last summer are not repeated and that marches do not go through areas where they are not welcome. [18306/95]
50 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress, if any, that has been made to ensure there will not be a repetition of the confrontations that characterised the 1995 marching season. [17762/95]
I propose taking Questions Nos. 8 and 50 together.
The Government believes that the right to march carries a responsibility to respect the principle that parades should not take place in an area, or along a route, where they are not welcome. I have consistently raised the implications of this principle in discussions with the British Government in the framework of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference.
The manner of the policing of parades is also raised on an ongoing basis with the British authorities. The Government has repeatedly emphasised the importance of the police sensitively handling such situations.
At the most recent meeting of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 17 October 1995, I expressed concern about various incidents during the recent marching season. I urged the British authorities to consider the steps they could take to prevent a recurrence of such incidents next year. In particular I made clear the Government's view that the use of the public order Order to reroute parades should be considered where necessary. The conference communiqué expressed the hope that confrontations would be avoided in future by advance agreements among all concerned.
I assure the Deputies that I will keep this issue under constant review in the context of the ongoing contacts with the British Government. The 1996 marching season will certainly be the subject of further intense discussion in the framework of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference.
I am glad to hear that discussions are ongoing. Would the Minister agree that it is essential that a system be put in place before next year's marching season to prevent any repetition of this year's potentially explosive situation? If agreement cannot be reached in the discussions will he urge the British Government to set out a firm policy for the security forces on preventing marches calculated to provoke the Nationalist community by passing through or beside Nationalist areas? The Nationalist or republican marches do not go through loyalist residential areas so why should the Orange marches go through Nationalist areas?
It is our view that it is both right and prudent that the right to march be exercised with respect for the rights and sensitivities of others and with regard for the maintenance of public order. We have urged those involved in organising parades or public demonstrations to exercise the maximum constraint in the context of the developing peace process. We were fortunate that the marching season passed off without difficulty for a number of years. We had an unfortunate recurrence this year where we saw tribalism at its most base in the confrontations.
We can have discussions with the British Government on outlining what I would consider to be fair procedures for the re-routing of marches but the basic principle is that marches should not take place where they are not welcome. If that was observed, along with respect for other communities' sensitivities, we could avoid confrontation. It is extremely important that we avoid confrontation in the efforts we are making to strengthen the peace process. This is one area where we should particularly try to avoid confrontation.
Will the Minister agree that the so-called spirit of Drumree should be firmly stamped on by the British Government, that it has nothing to do with civil and religious liberty in a non-partisan sense and that consideration should be given to the question of marches through areas where they are not welcome?
I certainly agree with the Deputy. All our actions in terms of Northern Ireland are predicated on the basis of establishing tolerance and respect for others. An incident such as that in Drumree is totally contrary to what we are trying to do. There must be respect for people's right to march, but let us hope that respect is reciprocated by taking into account other people's sensitivities.
We all witnessed the provocative marches last season, with the emergence of petrol bombing and so on. Is there anywhere else on earth where 300 marches are authorised within a few months? That matter must be raised in the context of the Anglo-Irish talks. I think the Minister will agree it is time we seriously considered taking the drum as well as the gun out of Irish politics.
We could sing that again. I understand the historical significance of marches for communities. Personally they never appealed to me. I got a better understanding of the marches from McGuinness's play, "Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme". There must be an appreciation of the sensitivities of communities. Events during the summer represented tribalism at its worst, and we are trying to move away from that. The triumphalism displayed on our television screens after a deal had been agreed in an honourable way was totally unacceptable. Let us hope that lessons were learned all around from that particular outing.
Will the Minister agree that in view of the inherent danger of mortars going out of control, which usually happens, displays such as that referred to should not alone be restricted but discontinued? Requests should be made that there would be no displays on public highways and roads.
I suppose we could request that marches would take place through the fields, up the mountains, around the houses and through the glens. There will be regular discussions between the Irish and British authorities and with the security forces in Northern Ireland. Let us hope that next year, as another significant event in the peace process, the unfortunate residents will not experience the intimidation and difficulties which were a feature of this year's marching season.
