Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. Less than three weeks ago, Deputy Martin and I had meetings in Belfast with a number of groups. One of the issues that was particularly highlighted to us was the concern in regard to responsibility for parades being devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly. There is a need for a strong Parades Commission. The first Parades Commission was strong and it did good work in very difficult circumstances at the time. I ask the Minister to outline to the House his views in regard to the devolution of responsibility for parades to the Northern Ireland Assembly, which, unfortunately, can be so contentious.

Another issue highlighted to me in Armagh no later than Friday evening was the total disregard for some aspects of the Good Friday Agreement. Some outstanding legal aspects of the agreement are not being implemented. I refer to the need to have the Civic Forum re-established. As the Minister knows, there is a commitment in the Stormont House Agreement to have a civic consultative body, whatever that entails, but one of the particular concerns, which I share with the broader community, is that the members of that forum will be chosen by the Office of the First Minister and the Office of the Deputy First Minister. Why would all the parties in the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive not be involved in nominating people for participation in such a forum?

See this speech in context