Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

There are a number of issues and it is important not to reduce outstanding issues to just two. There are a number of matters relating to implementation of the agreement that must be addressed. In talking about steps to devolution, the justice Bill for the creation of a justice department has been passed by the Assembly and once agreement has been reached between the parties the following steps must be taken.

There must be an agreement on the identity of a Justice Minister, an agreement on the relationship of a Justice Minister to the Executive, the finalisation of the Assembly committee report on policing and justice, a cross-community voting assembly requesting policing and justice powers, a budget Bill for the Assembly committee that must be passed, a transfer order approval by Privy Council, an agreement on the programme for government on policing and justice and there is a budget Bill submitted for royal assent. Even just looking at the devolution issues there are a number of processes and procedures that must be agreed in terms of content, substance and timing that must be worked through.

There are other issues as well. The Deputy mentioned the parade question. In the St. Andrews Agreement, it was agreed to look at the long-term strategy on this matter as it feeds into a public order issue, particularly in respect of contentious parades. There is a need to be particularly sensitive to the rights of communities as well as the rights of others to parade. That is a balance of rights that needs to be very carefully calibrated, as we know. The Parades Commission has been the means by which an arbitration on the issues arising takes place.

There is a strong view that we must keep that issue away from politics and direct operational policing decision. We must consider how to build on the current regulatory framework which, in broad terms, has served us well. Every process has room for improvement and discussion can take place in which people can find ways forward that give mutual confidence to those who wish to exercise their right to parade, as well as ensuring that communities are not subject to sectarian or other harassment. There are various means and confidence-building measures that one can identify that would assist in ensuring this happens.

Taking the contention out of parades would be an ideal objective to be achieved but it will require much work, discussion and careful consultation, mediation and arbitration processes that would be transparent and have the confidence of communities. There must be dialogue. The Derry issue was sorted out on the basis of people sitting down and working through the issues of what had been a very contentious matter. It has enabled one cultural tradition to celebrate its particular history while at the same time not impinging or disrespecting the culture of others who do not affiliate to those marches or manifestations of identity which emerge when parades take place.

It is possible to deal with these matters but it requires a sensitivity and willingness on all sides to listen to each other and find a way through based on dialogue, mediation and in some cases arbitration. That process should have the confidence of both communities, engendering and promoting mutual respect. These issues are being discussed in detail with a view to proceeding. Nobody is seeking a quid pro quo and the issue of devolution of policing and justice has its own intrinsic merit and imperative in any event. Other issues that feed into law and order issues in general, including that issue, can and are being discussed on their own merits and in separate contexts and dialogue streams. It is important for all of us to reach agreement generally so that everybody can go forward with confidence.

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