Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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42. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the conversations he has had with the British Government in respect of the upcoming Orange Order marching season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8941/14]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I am in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers MP about the overall situation in Northern Ireland including contentious marches and overall parades issue. In recent months, I met with all of the party leaders in the Executive and with the British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg MP as well as with the Independent Chair of the Panel of Parties, Dr Richard Haass, to discuss ways forward. I have also visited the interface areas in Ardoyne, Carrick Hill and Short Strand and was briefed by the Apprentice Boys and the PSNI in Derry about their assessment of the situation.

My officials in the British Irish Joint Secretariat in Belfast monitor the situation on the ground closely with their British colleagues, review legislative and judicial development and keep me advised. The legislative framework for parading is a key area of focus for my Department. Accordingly, we have strongly supported the work of the Parades Commission and the PSNI in maintaining the rule of law in Northern Ireland. The Political Parties in the Northern Ireland Executive are currently discussing the Proposals, including those on Parades. They recognise the wide variety of other rights potentially affected by parades and other events and call for a new consensus based on rights, responsibilities, and relationships. Throughout the Talks, I have made clear the Government’s view to all participants and stakeholders that there is now a unique opportunity to make further progress towards advancing reconciliation and the creation of a truly reconciled and prosperous society in Northern Ireland. That remains the Government’s view and we will continue our engagement with the Northern Ireland Political Parties and the British Government to that end.