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04/10/2013
New Parades Commissioners Sought
The Northern Ireland Secretary has announced a process to recruit a new five-member Commission to adjudicate sensitive parades.
The term of the current Parades Commission members is due to end on 31 December 2013, however Theresa Villiers said new members may be found sooner if a decision can be made during the Haass talks.
American diplomat Richard Haass has been appointed to chair a series of all-party talks on issues surrounding parades, flags and emblems in Northern Ireland.
Ms Villiers said: "As the term of the current commissioners is due to expire at the end of the year, I am today launching a recruitment process for their successors. Whilst the new members will be appointed for a 3 year term from 1 January 2014, their tenure of office could finish early if the Haass group achieves a consensus on a new devolved system of decision-making on parades.
"The Haass talks provide a welcome opportunity to see if a devolved solution can be agreed for the adjudication of contentious parades. I am very supportive of that work and I hope that progress can be made. In the meantime, the Parades Commission will continue to be the body responsible for these matters."
The new appointments will be made following an open competition regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA).
But DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said a "root and branch" change was needed to solve problems surrounding the role of the Parades Commission.
Unionists, loyalists and the Orange Order called for the removal of the Commission after it determined that a loyalist flute band could only march through the predominantly nationalist area of the Ardoyne in north Belfast once on 12 July.
Subsequent protests at the decision saw loyalists jumping on top of police vans and attacking officers with concrete blocks, bottles and other missiles.
Mr Dodds said: "The decision by the Secretary of State to launch a public appointments process to recruit a new five member Parades Commission is an opportunity for change and to move things forward.
"The current body does not have the confidence of the unionist community or indeed many others who see it as unfair and irrational. It consistently rewards bad, even violent, behaviour and punishes good behaviour. It is inconsistent and aloof.
"A root and branch change is needed and we will continue to work towards that. However, this change of personnel as a first step is welcome."
(IT/CD)
The term of the current Parades Commission members is due to end on 31 December 2013, however Theresa Villiers said new members may be found sooner if a decision can be made during the Haass talks.
American diplomat Richard Haass has been appointed to chair a series of all-party talks on issues surrounding parades, flags and emblems in Northern Ireland.
Ms Villiers said: "As the term of the current commissioners is due to expire at the end of the year, I am today launching a recruitment process for their successors. Whilst the new members will be appointed for a 3 year term from 1 January 2014, their tenure of office could finish early if the Haass group achieves a consensus on a new devolved system of decision-making on parades.
"The Haass talks provide a welcome opportunity to see if a devolved solution can be agreed for the adjudication of contentious parades. I am very supportive of that work and I hope that progress can be made. In the meantime, the Parades Commission will continue to be the body responsible for these matters."
The new appointments will be made following an open competition regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA).
But DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said a "root and branch" change was needed to solve problems surrounding the role of the Parades Commission.
Unionists, loyalists and the Orange Order called for the removal of the Commission after it determined that a loyalist flute band could only march through the predominantly nationalist area of the Ardoyne in north Belfast once on 12 July.
Subsequent protests at the decision saw loyalists jumping on top of police vans and attacking officers with concrete blocks, bottles and other missiles.
Mr Dodds said: "The decision by the Secretary of State to launch a public appointments process to recruit a new five member Parades Commission is an opportunity for change and to move things forward.
"The current body does not have the confidence of the unionist community or indeed many others who see it as unfair and irrational. It consistently rewards bad, even violent, behaviour and punishes good behaviour. It is inconsistent and aloof.
"A root and branch change is needed and we will continue to work towards that. However, this change of personnel as a first step is welcome."
(IT/CD)
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SDLP Party Leader Alasdair McDonnell has publicly supported calls from the Chairman of the Police Federation, Terry Spence, to postpone all contentious parades over the next six months. "Since July last year over 500 officers have been injured; 64 over the course of last Thursday and Friday night," Mr Spence said.
SDLP Supports Parades Call
SDLP Party Leader Alasdair McDonnell has publicly supported calls from the Chairman of the Police Federation, Terry Spence, to postpone all contentious parades over the next six months. "Since July last year over 500 officers have been injured; 64 over the course of last Thursday and Friday night," Mr Spence said.
14 October 2011
Summer Of Post Parade Violence Cost £5.7m
Sectarian rioting is costing the economy dearly with news this morning that the cost of policing parades and associated public disorder during the period from April to the end of August was a huge £5.7m.
Summer Of Post Parade Violence Cost £5.7m
Sectarian rioting is costing the economy dearly with news this morning that the cost of policing parades and associated public disorder during the period from April to the end of August was a huge £5.7m.
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.
30 September 2013
Orange March Request Criticised
An application by the Orange order to complete an 'unfinished' parade that began on 12 July this year has been criticised. The move follows a decision by the Parades Commission earlier this year to only let the Orange Order march through a predominantly Catholic area of north Belfast once.
Orange March Request Criticised
An application by the Orange order to complete an 'unfinished' parade that began on 12 July this year has been criticised. The move follows a decision by the Parades Commission earlier this year to only let the Orange Order march through a predominantly Catholic area of north Belfast once.
28 September 2010
Orangemen Again Reject Parading Bill
The Orange Order and the leader of the DUP are at odds this week after it emerged that the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland is continuing to reject a new draft parades bill. The Stormont First Minister has been frustrated by news that the loyal order's ruling body voted at the weekend to stand-by its rejection of the draft.
Orangemen Again Reject Parading Bill
The Orange Order and the leader of the DUP are at odds this week after it emerged that the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland is continuing to reject a new draft parades bill. The Stormont First Minister has been frustrated by news that the loyal order's ruling body voted at the weekend to stand-by its rejection of the draft.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
