21/04/2010
Parades Back On Executive Agenda
There's to be a new way to deal with contentious parades in Northern Ireland.
Two new bodies are to replace the current Government-appointed Parades Commission in a blueprint that envisages a new focus on dialogue between rival groups to avoid violence seen in the past.
Under a code of conduct, residents will have the right to live free from sectarian harassment while it will be illegal to block a lawful parade.
Marchers and protesters will be expected to take part in dialogue and a refusal to do so will be taken into account by the new body.
The DUP and Sinn Fein set up a six-strong group to work on the matter following the deal in January. Their brief was to propose a new and improved framework to rule on controversial marches, including a focus on local solutions, mediation and adjudication.
The two bodies will be an office where people can apply for permission to hold a parade or a protest with the second being an adjudication body which will decide what happens in the event of a dispute.
The body will consist of 11 people, drawn from across the community, who will split into two panels of five to consider individual parades and protests.
The new arrangements would write into law people's right to live in freedom from sectarian harassment.
But it would also make it an offence to prevent or disrupt a lawful public assembly or parades.
The new Stormont Minister for Justice, David Ford, would be given the power to ban a parade which currently rests with the Secretary of State Shaun Woodward.
However, he could only do this with the backing of both the first and deputy first ministers.
The NI First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness launched the public consultation on Tuesday.
The First Minister said: "Following the agreement reached at Hillsborough Castle on 5 February, we set a challenging timetable for the Working Group on Parades to produce a report.
"The group presented its report to us on 23 February. Today we publish the draft legislation for public consultation."
The Deputy First Minister said: "A consultation process across a range of stakeholders including public representatives and representatives of residents’ groups has informed the report.
"We look forward to considering the comments and submissions received in response to the draft document in the coming months."
The public consultation will run for 12 weeks from 20 April to 14 July, with responses to be received no later than 1.00pm on 14 July.
See: Parades
(BMCC/GK)
Two new bodies are to replace the current Government-appointed Parades Commission in a blueprint that envisages a new focus on dialogue between rival groups to avoid violence seen in the past.
Under a code of conduct, residents will have the right to live free from sectarian harassment while it will be illegal to block a lawful parade.
Marchers and protesters will be expected to take part in dialogue and a refusal to do so will be taken into account by the new body.
The DUP and Sinn Fein set up a six-strong group to work on the matter following the deal in January. Their brief was to propose a new and improved framework to rule on controversial marches, including a focus on local solutions, mediation and adjudication.
The two bodies will be an office where people can apply for permission to hold a parade or a protest with the second being an adjudication body which will decide what happens in the event of a dispute.
The body will consist of 11 people, drawn from across the community, who will split into two panels of five to consider individual parades and protests.
The new arrangements would write into law people's right to live in freedom from sectarian harassment.
But it would also make it an offence to prevent or disrupt a lawful public assembly or parades.
The new Stormont Minister for Justice, David Ford, would be given the power to ban a parade which currently rests with the Secretary of State Shaun Woodward.
However, he could only do this with the backing of both the first and deputy first ministers.
The NI First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness launched the public consultation on Tuesday.
The First Minister said: "Following the agreement reached at Hillsborough Castle on 5 February, we set a challenging timetable for the Working Group on Parades to produce a report.
"The group presented its report to us on 23 February. Today we publish the draft legislation for public consultation."
The Deputy First Minister said: "A consultation process across a range of stakeholders including public representatives and representatives of residents’ groups has informed the report.
"We look forward to considering the comments and submissions received in response to the draft document in the coming months."
The public consultation will run for 12 weeks from 20 April to 14 July, with responses to be received no later than 1.00pm on 14 July.
See: Parades
(BMCC/GK)
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11 July 2002
SF to meet Parades Commission over Twelfth parades
A meeting is to take place between Sinn Fein and the Parades Commission over a number of controversial Orange Order parades that are to take place in north Belfast on July 12. A delegation from the party is to meet the commission on Thursday morning with regard to parades along the Springfield Road and Crumlin Road planned for Friday.
SF to meet Parades Commission over Twelfth parades
A meeting is to take place between Sinn Fein and the Parades Commission over a number of controversial Orange Order parades that are to take place in north Belfast on July 12. A delegation from the party is to meet the commission on Thursday morning with regard to parades along the Springfield Road and Crumlin Road planned for Friday.
24 June 2009
Ministers Square Up Over Parades Issue
In spite of working closely together on such issues as their joint condemnation of recent racist attacks, the First and Deputy First Ministers were this week at loggerheads over loyal order parades. First Minister Peter Robinson hit out at comments by his Executive colleague, the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
Ministers Square Up Over Parades Issue
In spite of working closely together on such issues as their joint condemnation of recent racist attacks, the First and Deputy First Ministers were this week at loggerheads over loyal order parades. First Minister Peter Robinson hit out at comments by his Executive colleague, the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
26 January 2011
Baggott Agrees Illegal Parading Meeting
There's to be a showdown over the way in which the PSNI has been allowing illegal republican parades to take place - while at the same time cracking down on Loyal Order events to make sure they follow the letter of the law under Parading legislation.
Baggott Agrees Illegal Parading Meeting
There's to be a showdown over the way in which the PSNI has been allowing illegal republican parades to take place - while at the same time cracking down on Loyal Order events to make sure they follow the letter of the law under Parading legislation.
24 January 2011
Police 'Allowed Illegal Republican Parade'
Members of the leading loyal order are said to be frustrated over an illegal march in Co Armagh yesterday and news of 'zero' prosecutions or cautions for those participating in any such illegal parades. The Orange Order described this as a "major shift" in policy, which they said, is causing huge frustration among law-abiding Orangemen.
Police 'Allowed Illegal Republican Parade'
Members of the leading loyal order are said to be frustrated over an illegal march in Co Armagh yesterday and news of 'zero' prosecutions or cautions for those participating in any such illegal parades. The Orange Order described this as a "major shift" in policy, which they said, is causing huge frustration among law-abiding Orangemen.
20 December 2010
Orange Tint To Parades Commission
A former senior Orangeman who disagreed with the loyal order's leadership has been appointed to the contentious Parades Commission in Northern Ireland. Reverend Brian Kennaway will be part of a new commission appointed by the Northern Ireland Office, which will begin operating early next month.
Orange Tint To Parades Commission
A former senior Orangeman who disagreed with the loyal order's leadership has been appointed to the contentious Parades Commission in Northern Ireland. Reverend Brian Kennaway will be part of a new commission appointed by the Northern Ireland Office, which will begin operating early next month.
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