Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he, or representatives from his Department, have had meetings with representatives from the Parades Commission to discuss upcoming contentious parades in Northern Ireland; if such meetings will be held before the beginning of the marching season in order to try to avoid much of the conflict that emerged in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6992/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the close attention which the Government gives to parades issues, yesterday I met the chair of the Parades Commission, Roger Poole. I expressed support for the work of the commission and outlined the Government's view that contentious parades should be resolved through meaningful dialogue between the relevant groups. In addition there have been ongoing contacts at official level with the newly-appointed Parades Commission in the period since Christmas, at which the prospects for the 2006 marching season were discussed.

Officials from my Department meet regularly with a wide range of groups and organisations involved with parades. A resolution of parading disputes is a key priority of the Government in making progress towards a stable future in Northern Ireland. The annual cost of a prolonged period of tension and instability each year in terms of tourism, the economy and community relations in Northern Ireland makes it imperative that all concerned, including political leaders, act responsibly and make every effort to reduce tension.

While parades often attract negative publicity, it is important to note that of the 3,500 or so parades that take place each year, the vast majority are uncontested and pass off without incident. In certain communities, following years of difficulty surrounding parades, patient mediation work has produced excellent results, most notably in Derry city. This has been achieved through a willingness to address difficulties and through compromises on both sides. This model provides a useful template for the resolution of other contentious parades.