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)