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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Way forward on parades outlined | Way forward on parades outlined |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| An independent review is to recommend a new way to deal with contentious parades in Northern Ireland later. | An independent review is to recommend a new way to deal with contentious parades in Northern Ireland later. |
| The review team, chaired by ex-Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown would give the final say to a panel appointed by the first and deputy first ministers. | The review team, chaired by ex-Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown would give the final say to a panel appointed by the first and deputy first ministers. |
| But the report will say that resolving disputes about parades is linked to wider political issues like the devolution of policing and justice. | But the report will say that resolving disputes about parades is linked to wider political issues like the devolution of policing and justice. |
| The Parades Commission will continue to have the final say until that happens. | The Parades Commission will continue to have the final say until that happens. |
| The commission was set up in 1997 to make decisions on whether controversial parades should be restricted. | |
| Two key residents' groups - the Lower Ormeau Concerned Community in Belfast and the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition in Portadown - have criticised the report. | |
| In a joint statement, they said they "do not believe that this report has brought forward any suitable or viable alternative to the concept of an independent Parades Commission. | |
| "Instead, they see only potential for political interference and manipulation within each of the various strands of bureaucracy it proposes and they fear that the majority of proposals will lead to a pre-1998 situation, re-ignite past tensions and create future inter-communal unrest during the 'marching season'." | |
| However, the report has been welcomed by the Orange Order. | |
| "We welcome the fact that the recommendations include the establishment of a new legislative framework to govern not just parades but all public assemblies. | |
| "We particularly welcome the fact that the recommendations signal the end of the discredited Parades Commission," the order said. | |
| Marches | |
| There are almost 4,000 Orange Order parades in Northern Ireland every year - and the vast majority are non-contentious. | |
| But some, like Drumcree, are highly controversial and are the subject of rulings by the Parades Commission. | But some, like Drumcree, are highly controversial and are the subject of rulings by the Parades Commission. |
| Lord Ashdown's strategic review team was appointed a year ago to examine the issue of parading and will publish its interim report this morning. | Lord Ashdown's strategic review team was appointed a year ago to examine the issue of parading and will publish its interim report this morning. |
| It will recommend a new approach that would see any disputes being referred to the first and deputy first ministers, who would appoint a three strong panel to adjudicate - that would mean the end of the Parades Commission. | It will recommend a new approach that would see any disputes being referred to the first and deputy first ministers, who would appoint a three strong panel to adjudicate - that would mean the end of the Parades Commission. |