Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 322: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he is taking to help de-escalate tensions during the 2005 Orange Order marching season; if he has asked the Orange Order and other senior Unionist politicians to desist from sabre-rattling in a bid to overturn Parades Commission decisions; if he has asked the Orange Order to engage in direct dialogue with Nationalist residents; the action he is taking to support Nationalist areas that are threatened with contentious parades; and the action he is taking to support the work of the Parades Commission. [23903/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has consistently sought to promote local accommodation in instances where parades are contentious. It has done so by promoting direct dialogue between all parties to such disputes and by consistently supporting the work of the Parades Commission. The Government has also paid close attention to the policing of parades, to monitor the way the commission's determinations are policed and to ensure that the intent of the commission is fully upheld. Concerns regarding these issues are raised through the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference.

My officials are in regular contact with residents groups throughout Northern Ireland, including in Ardoyne, west Belfast, Portadown, Derry, Dunloy and east Belfast, and also with community leaders who have influence. During our contacts with members of the loyal orders we have stressed the desirability of contentious parades being resolved through dialogue and mutual agreement. In this regard, I welcome the agreement reached by the community forum in Derry that will result in the 12 July parade in the city going ahead with the support of all concerned. The Chamber of Commerce in Derry deserves particular praise for bringing the relevant stakeholders together and for providing a forum through which outstanding concerns from all perspectives could be answered in a positive and tolerant setting. I hope that the continuing example of mutual respect and tolerance for diversity shown by those in Derry can highlight to others in Northern Ireland that the parades issue is resolvable and need not be an annual source of conflict between the two communities.