Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had meetings with authorities in Northern Ireland and political parties regarding the security situation surrounding the 2006 marching season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25264/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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In recent months the Government has had discussions with various parties to the Parades issue, including the leadership of the Loyal Orders, the political parties, residents groups and the relevant British authorities. Our meetings have focused in particular on the small number of areas where there are continuing tensions, including West Belfast, Ardoyne, Short Strand, Dunloy and Portadown. Issues in relation to the appropriate policing of parades have also been discussed through the British-Irish Secretariat in Belfast.

It has been the position of successive Governments that the best solution for disputed parades in Northern Ireland is through dialogue and agreement at local level. In circumstances where agreement cannot be reached all sides should respect the decisions of the Parades Commission. The responsible manner in which the nationalist residents of the Springfield Road responded to the parade on Saturday 24 June was encouraging in this regard.

While we remain confident that the Parades issue is capable of effective resolution, the summer period is inevitably associated with heightened sectarian tension, as events in 2005 in North Antrim and in West Belfast underlined. There is an ongoing need therefore for political leadership from all political parties in Northern Ireland to ensure that the pattern of deteriorating community relations over the summer months is broken. At recent meetings with the parties, including the DUP, the Government has taken the opportunity to emphasise the need for such leadership.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his view on the latest proposals from the British Government for community restorative justice schemes in Northern Ireland; if he has viewed the latest NIO proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25266/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Criminal Justice Review, established pursuant to the Good Friday Agreement, considered the question of community restorative justice schemes in the context of strengthening support for the criminal justice system. It concluded that, in certain circumstances, such schemes had a useful role to play, but emphasised the need to operate within certain well-defined criteria. As part of the implementation of the Review, the British Government undertook to prepare guidelines for the operation of restorative justice schemes, and these were published as a consultative document last December.

In the context of ongoing discussions, we have had an opportunity to discuss this issue with the political parties and with the British Government, as well as with other interests. We are aware of the concerns expressed by various stakeholders, and will wish to ensure that any decisions in this area are consistent with the commitment to a widely-supported policing service. In considering proposals for change, the Government has emphasised its view that any programme should adhere to best international practice, must be human-rights compliant and have acceptable arrangements with regard to the handling of complaints. We have above all emphasised the need to operate in a manner which underpins the new dispensation in policing, and which contributes to the full implementation of the Patten recommendations. Indeed it seems clear that progress on policing is inevitably closely linked with the scope for the development of community restorative justice and related programmes. We will remain in close touch with the political parties and the British Government on this matter.