Dialogue must be part of solution to parades

During a public meeting in Enniskillen last week, Commissioner Robin Percival also told this newspaper that parade organisers must engage with local people.

"If we are required to issue a termination with regard to any parade it is a consequence of a failure of as part of the people in the locality to come up with a solution," he said.

The meeting in the Clinton Centre was just one of several public discussions held across Northern Ireland giving locals the chance to talk directly to the seven commissioners about a range of issues. Prominent parade organiser Glenn Morrison, former RUC Police Officer Norman Baxter and representatives from the Vintage Car Club were just some of the many local people who attended the meeting last Thursday. A meeting was also held between local political representatives and commissioners the night before.

Set up by the British Government in 1998 in response to the problems associated with the Drumcree parade, the Parades Commission has three responsibilities.

The first is to inform the public about issues to do with parading, the second is to explore the possibility of mediation where there is contention and the third is to make a decision on whether or not to impose certain conditions on a parade.

The Parades Commission cannot ban a parade - they just put certain restrictions on a parade.

Mr. Percival went on to talk about "certain controversies" around loyal orders parading in Fermanagh such as in Newtownbutler, Rosslea and in Enniskillen earlier this year - parades according to the commissioner that "a substantial number of people in the area have problems with".

"There are issues around the supporters that come and issues around the route - these are the issues that we hope will be resolved. We have had some consideration about a band parade that took place in Enniskillen earlier this year. There was a certain amount of controversy around the parade and the Parades Commission met the relevant parties to discuss it," he said.

Ronnie Pedlow, Parades Commission Secretary, said it was "very important" for the commission to get out and talk to people.

"We're hearing from band organisers and even vintage car participants who have very strong concerns about that fact the legislation applies to them. This is really a historic thing. Joe Mahon, our friend in Irvinestown, is well known for his turkey parade and he's always trying to embarrass us with his parades. He's got a bit of publicity with his turkeys and scantily clad women but, yes, the legislation applies to him too and anyone who wants to organise a turkey walk or some type of procession." On the rocky relationship between the Parades Commission and the Orange Order, Mr. Pedlow said: "The Orange Order/Grand Lodge policy is not to talk to the Parades Commission but we believe that doesn't help the situation so therefore we are keen to talk to them. We do have conversations with Orangemen in different localities and in different ways but we would say, we really need to talk about these issues."