Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Contentious issues surrounding culture and identity necessarily feature in most of our discussions and contact in Northern Ireland, and particularly so in recent months. I can confirm that the specific issue of the upcoming marching season was reviewed during my bilateral discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, MP, on 29 April in Belfast. It also featured in the joint meeting which the Secretary of State and I had with Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Peter Robinson, MLA, and with the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, MLA, later that day at Stormont Castle. It had also featured in discussions which the Taoiseach and I had with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in Washington DC over St. Patrick’s Day. Government officials working at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast maintains contact with the full range of concerned parties, notably community groups, interface workers and public representatives who work to support peace and good relations during the annual marching season.

In these meetings, I expressed the Government’s concerns about the current situation. I have reiterated that it is essential that the determinations of the Parades Commission are fully respected and that the commission and the Police Service of Northern Ireland continue to receive full support from everyone. I know that this position enjoys unanimous support from all parties in the House. We all recognise that the Police Service of Northern Ireland faces a very challenging situation this marching season, as it has during the recent illegal street protests about Belfast City Council’s December decision on flag flying. It is a great shame that such scenes continue to strain community relations in Belfast and damage Northern Ireland’s well deserved international reputation as a place to visit and do business.

Resolving contentious parades and other aspects of culture and identity requires a renewed commitment to the values of equality and mutual respect which are central to the peace process. In that context, I welcome the announcement last week by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of a new initiative entitled, Together: Building a United Community. I call for all parties to engage in resolving sectarianism and to prioritise support for peace and greater understanding ahead of all other considerations during the marching season ahead.

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