Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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230. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised concerns to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland regarding her decision to establish a panel relating to parading disputes; his views that such reviews will undermine the Parades Commission and its remit to make independent determinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39290/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Secretary of State Villiers and I met on 7 October to review progress in preparations for all-party talks. Minister of State Seán Sherlock TD also participated in the meeting. We discussed the key areas for resolution in the forthcoming talks process and the Secretary of State’s proposals for a mediation panel on the parade situation in North Belfast, which had been published earlier that day.

I had previously advised the Secretary of State that, to succeed, any mediation initiative in North Belfast must not undermine the authority of the Parades Commission as the body that makes lawful determinations in respect of individual parades; must not impede the commencement of wider talks amongst the Northern Ireland parties that will address, inter alia, the overall issue of parades; and must secure cross community support, particularly in the local community directly impacted by the parade in North Belfast.

In my discussions with the Secretary of State on 7 October, I raised in particular her statement regarding the establishment of a mediation process in relation to the parading situation in North Belfast. I urged the Secretary of State to ensure that, in taking this initiative forward, she now does everything possible to secure cross-community support, and particularly that it earns the confidence of those directly affected on the ground by the parading situation at Woodvale and Ardoyne.

Successive Governments have emphasised the importance of dialogue between Parade organisers and local residents. We have also emphasised the need for an independent body, such as the Parades Commission, making determinations on Parades, the vast majority of which pass off peacefully. The Parades Commission, as the lawful designated authority, has a very important role in creating a stable framework for the handful of contentious Parades that remain.

The forthcoming Political Talks offer an opportunity for the Northern Ireland Executive Parties to address the overall Parades situation and other outstanding issues that are preventing Northern Ireland from making further progress on its journey to a peaceful, prosperous and reconciled society. I look forward to participating in these talks and the Government stands ready to work with our partners in the British government, and with the active support of the US Administration, to assist in whatever way we can.