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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 Jul 1998

Vol. 493 No. 5

Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Marching Season.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

31 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts, if any, he is making either unilaterally or in co-operation with the British authorities to ensure that the marching season in Northern Ireland does not lead to communal conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16354/98]

Dick Spring

Ceist:

50 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the meetings, if any, he has planned with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to tensions on parades issues. [16362/98]

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 31 and 50 together.

It is a matter of profound regret that an agreed accommodation was not found before the Parades Commission had to make its determination on the Drumcree parade. Successive Governments have accepted that the most effective way forward on contentious parades is for those most directly involved to engage in dialogue. In the absence of an agreed outcome based on dialogue, the rule of law should be respected.

I wish to assure the Deputies that the Government has left no stone unturned in its efforts to encourage dialogue and agreement. Obviously, our contacts and exchanges with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with the British authorities generally will continue and intensify over the coming days. The Taoiseach, for example, discussed the matter most recently with the British Prime Minister in Frankfurt. We remain in contact with the parties on the ground in Northern Ireland. The Taoiseach and I met during the week with the leadership of the SDLP and Sinn Féin and Drumcree obviously featured in our discussions.

As the day of the march fast approaches, time is obviously running short in terms of the search for dialogue and local agreement. We will continue to encourage such local agreement. However, the determination of the Parades Commission is in effect a statement of the law of land in regard to the Drumcree parade. I would urge everyone to respect that determination. To those who would wish to dissent from it, I would urge that they do so peacefully and with restraint. Confrontation and the perpetuation of conflict over this parade is clearly contrary to the real interests of all the people of Northern Ireland.

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