Parades chair - 'Stormont take charge'

Published Wednesday, 29 August 2012

The chairman of the Parades Commission has told UTV he believes it is time for local politicians to take ownership of the parading issue.

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'Stormont take charge'
Parades debate

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Peter Osborne said he wants to see local politicians take responsibility for parading structures, which he believes should be devolved to Stormont.

It comes as the fallout over the violence which flared at a Royal Black Institution march in Belfast at the weekend continues.

"I will be the first in the queue to say yes, let's devolve parading," said Mr Osborne.

"I think it's time for local politicians to take ownership and responsibility of the parading issues and that will reflect the degree of maturity within our political setup at the minute.

"That accountability, appointment of the commission, should rest with local politicians because that will increase ownership and responsibility for the structures and decision making. It's just something naturally right- the next natural step of what should happen."

Trouble broke out on Saturday after a Royal Black Institution parade at St Patrick's Catholic Church on Donegall Street.

Many bands defied a Parades Commission ruling by playing music - and the Young Conway Volunteers took part in the march despite being prohibited.

A female PSNI officer was taken to hospital and treated for minor head injuries as police
in riot gear held back protesters and supporters who threw bottles and stones.

The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church and the Church of Ireland Archbishop have questioned the conduct and Christian behaviour of those who took part.

Reverend Roy Patton told UTV: "I think any right-thinking person would consider what we viewed as not in keeping with the Christian profession.

"I think there are many within the within the orders who along with myself would be dismayed with what happened and not in favour at all.

"We would say they have every right to march but the way they treat their neighbours is actually very important as well and both sides need to be sensitive."

Mr Patton's views have been welcomed by the SDLP.

North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness said: "Hopefully people will listen carefully to the advice of these pastors and those unionist politicians who have refused to condemn the blatant acts of sectarianism outside St Patrick's will now re-assess their position and show some leadership."

However TUV leader Jim Allister has criticised him.

Meanwhile an Orange Order spokesperson said: "The Institution is aware of the comments made by the senior clergymen."

Comments

19 Comments

Declan in Omagh wrote (261 days ago):

SOLVED "The parades issue" Bring in a Pay As You March policy, £10,000 per march, that would soon put an end to all the marching and trouble. Also a flag tax for flying flags, £50 per flag per poll. £100 for bunting, Local councils could give a sticker for each paid and any poll without this remove the flag/bunting. All this money, would help good causes, tidy up our streets and reduce intimidation and tension between communities

N IC in Belfast wrote (265 days ago):

I am sure if we look closer at Band parades in general loyalist and republican. Every parade passes buildings of sensitivity. Most band parade routes pass nursing homes , hospitials and both catholic and protestant churches, houses that mybe very seriously ill people live in , So do we start protesting outside every place because of noise or a band plays a particular tune . weither it is AOH, orange, black or legion of mary , we need tolerane to prevail and stop using the parades as a stick to beat each other and the police with.

katrina in Belfast wrote (265 days ago):

Been to orange parades for over 40 years, never have they been secterian, all an excuse from the republicans, as for playing out side a church, its only a building, christ is the church, and lives within, if you have excepted him. But think back how the republicans hide there guns, and covered the murderers within the church, well done on taking a stand.

Tomc in Belfast wrote (265 days ago):

The laughable thing is our politicians openly condemn the parades commission yet they haven't the stomach to take it on themselves. I say make our politicians take on the responsibility....lets prevent them pointing the finger at another body for a change....

David in USA wrote (265 days ago):

The solution to the parading issue is quite an easy one. Parades must stop completely. These parades are not fun or do any good for either community. Someone please tell me what good years of parading on both sides has done?? Its not something you'd want your children to be apart of, not unless you want them growing up with the mindset of a bigot.Lets not confuse being proud of ones heritage with fouling outside someone else's neighbourhood in the form of unwanted contentious parades. Why march in someone elses area when they don't want it? How hard is that to make sense of? Would a person wearing a rangers or celtic shirt walk the streets of their opposite neighbourhood freely and be comfortable about it? Hmmm...Why not? Then why cause trouble parading with huge flags, drums, masks through the same neighnourhoods? You can't drive anywhere without seeing a flag like a dog marking its own territory and people find it intimidating. The place has got to grow up and change. Why would people want to be proud of holding resentment towards their neighbour? We all bleed red, not green or orange.No parades, no flags, no problems.

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