Seanad debates

Tuesday, 3 November 2009

Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements

 

2:30 pm

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as a chuid ama a roinnt liom. Cuirim fáilte roimh an deis chun ceist na Sé Chondae a phlé sa Seanad, go háirithe an próiseas síochána agus cur i bhfeidhm Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus Chomhaontú Chill Rímhinn.

I welcome this opportunity to address developments in the Six Counties in respect of the Good Friday Agreement and the St. Andrews Agreement. I participated in the talks in Hillsborough and St. Andrews on these agreements. It is also important that we address the need for all-Ireland development, an end to partition and national reunification.

The most pressing issue in terms of implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the St. Andrews Agreement is the transfer of policing and justice powers from London to Belfast. This is a long overdue and absolutely essential element of the Good Friday Agreement. For the new dispensation to function in the North we need a new beginning to policing and justice.

While progress has been made on funding the transfer of these powers, new obstacles have been thrown up by the DUP over the past several days. Many citizens will be concerned at the DUP's insistence that the issue of contentious Orange parades be resolved as a precondition to its final agreement to the transfer of policing and justice powers. It has always been Sinn Féin's position that the issue of parades can only be resolved through dialogue between the loyal orders and local communities. Irish republicans respect the rights of the Orange institutions to parade but this has to be done on the basis of equality and mutual respect and tolerance.

While the overwhelming majority of Orange parades take place without rancour or dispute, a small number each year give cause for concern. The Orange Order should engage in dialogue with local residents to resolve these contentious parades. Regardless of the structure put in place to mediate contentious parades there can be no resolution or agreement without dialogue.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.