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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Way forward on parades outlined | Way forward on parades outlined |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| An independent review has recommended a new way to deal with contentious parades in Northern Ireland. | An independent review has recommended a new way to deal with contentious parades in Northern Ireland. |
| The review, chaired by Lord Ashdown, wants to give the final say on parades to a panel appointed by the first and deputy first ministers. | The review, chaired by Lord Ashdown, wants to give the final say on parades to a panel appointed by the first and deputy first ministers. |
| But its report has said that resolving disputes about parades should be linked to wider political issues like the devolution of policing and justice. | But its report has said that resolving disputes about parades should be 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. | 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. | 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". | 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". |
| They added 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'". | They added 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'". |
| Mervyn Gibson and Sean Murray speaking at the launch of the report | |
| However, the report has been welcomed by the Orange Order. | 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 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. | "We particularly welcome the fact that the recommendations signal the end of the discredited Parades Commission," the order said. |
| Marches | Marches |
| There are almost 4,000 Orange Order parades in Northern Ireland every year - and the vast majority are non-contentious. | 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 and his strategic review team were appointed a year ago. | Lord Ashdown and his strategic review team were appointed a year ago. |