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10/07/2014
NIIRTA Pleas For 12th Calm
The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) has called for "calm" ahead of this weekend's 12 July events.
The Association has urged all concerned to "ensure that any protests that take place are peaceful". NIIRTA also pleaded for any protests not to block roads and arterial routes into town or city centres .
Tensions are currently building as the 12 July parades approach, due to a failure to reach political consensus on the issues of flags and parading at Stormont. Many fear this year could see scenes similar to those in 2013, when loyalist protestors attacked police lines with stones, golf balls, bottles and paving slabs.
NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: "We urge all concerned taking part in parades or protests to keep them peaceful and avoid Northern Ireland being dragged into the international headlines with scenes of violence. This should also include not blocking roads or arterial routes into town centres.
"The very last thing our recovering economy needs at this time is violence, rioting and disruption. July is a key trading month for retail, hospitality and of course for tourism. Many of our members in Belfast City Centre and throughout Northern Ireland will be open and trading as normal as possible over the weekend.
"NIIRTA would also urge all of the parties to urgently re-engage the talks process to resolve parades, flags and the shared future agenda. Divided societies are bad for business and will always limit the economic potential of Northern Ireland."
(IT/CD)
The Association has urged all concerned to "ensure that any protests that take place are peaceful". NIIRTA also pleaded for any protests not to block roads and arterial routes into town or city centres .
Tensions are currently building as the 12 July parades approach, due to a failure to reach political consensus on the issues of flags and parading at Stormont. Many fear this year could see scenes similar to those in 2013, when loyalist protestors attacked police lines with stones, golf balls, bottles and paving slabs.
NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: "We urge all concerned taking part in parades or protests to keep them peaceful and avoid Northern Ireland being dragged into the international headlines with scenes of violence. This should also include not blocking roads or arterial routes into town centres.
"The very last thing our recovering economy needs at this time is violence, rioting and disruption. July is a key trading month for retail, hospitality and of course for tourism. Many of our members in Belfast City Centre and throughout Northern Ireland will be open and trading as normal as possible over the weekend.
"NIIRTA would also urge all of the parties to urgently re-engage the talks process to resolve parades, flags and the shared future agenda. Divided societies are bad for business and will always limit the economic potential of Northern Ireland."
(IT/CD)
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