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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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13 August 2013
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.
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.
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.
17 September 2013
Richard Haass Talks To Begin
American diplomat Richard Haass is to begin chairing cross-party talks in Belfast which are designed to resolve contentious political issues in the region. The talks will include parades, flags and Northern Ireland's past.
Richard Haass Talks To Begin
American diplomat Richard Haass is to begin chairing cross-party talks in Belfast which are designed to resolve contentious political issues in the region. The talks will include parades, flags and Northern Ireland's past.
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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
