Future of powersharing in North thrown into doubt

The future of the powersharing administration in the North was again in doubt tonight after unionist parties walked out of a political talks process in protest at the banning of an Orange Order parade.

Future of powersharing in North thrown into doubt

The future of the powersharing administration in the North was again in doubt tonight after unionist parties walked out of a political talks process in protest at the banning of an Orange Order parade.

The Democratic Unionists and Ulster Unionists said that collapsing negotiations on outstanding peace process issues at Stormont, to highlight their anger at the ruling by the Parades Commission adjudication body, was the first stage of a “graduated response”.

The next step of that strategy appeared to materialise tonight when DUP Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson pulled out of a scheduled joint meeting tomorrow in Dublin with Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.

In issuing its determination this morning, the British government-appointed commission cited the potential for public disorder and negative impact on community relations among its reasons for preventing the contentious July 12 evening parade proceeding along north Belfast’s Crumlin Road, which is adjacent to the nationalist Ardoyne neighbourhood.

While both loyalists and republicans have engaged in serious rioting linked to the parade in recent years, the DUP and UUP insisted the commission had given in to the threat of republican violence.

The two main unionist parties issued a joint statement endorsed by a range of smaller unionist and loyalist parties in the region, including two with links to paramilitary groups. All the signatories said they were also cutting ties with the Parades Commission.

As the Orange Order denounced the decision as “preposterous”, Mr Robinson said the commission’s stance had put the powersharing institutions in danger.

“The institutions have been put under threat by the behaviour of the Parades Commission and those who threaten the Parades Commission,” he said.

“It is up to us to seek a peaceful response.”

Mr McGuinness, who said the region was in for a “fraught couple of weeks”, expressed disappointment that the North South Ministerial Council meeting in Dublin Castle had been cancelled.

“This is clear evidence that the Orange Order is now setting the pace for political unionism and the DUP in particular is now dancing to its tune,” he said.

Earlier Mr McGuinness said unionists needed to explain exactly what “graduated response” meant.

“I hope it doesn’t mean a threat to the institutions,” he said.

“I have made it clear that these institutions have provided very important stability.”

He added: “I tell it as it is. I think there is an awful lot of scepticism and indeed cynicism out there in regard to the willingness of unionist parties and the Orange Order to come to an agreement.”

Mr Gilmore said he hoped the walkout from the Stormont talks and subsequent postponement of the North South meeting were temporary setbacks.

“The North South Ministerial Council is dealing with important issues, such as job creation and economic development, which would be of benefit to people across this island,” he said.

“I would urge all parties in Northern Ireland to continue to engage constructively through all of the institutions.”

In recent years when the contentious Orange Order parade was given permission to pass the Ardoyne, republicans rioted.

When it was banned last year, loyalists rioted in the nearby unionist community in Woodvale.

Loyalists have manned a protest camp at the volatile community interface ever since, requiring a policing operation costing around £10m (€12.5m).

The political talks at Parliament Buildings in Belfast between the five parties in the executive collapsed on only their second day.

They were established by Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness in an effort to break the impasse on disputes over parades, flags and the past. One of the issues being debated was a potential replacement for the controversial Parades Commission.

As it did last year, the commission has given permission, with restrictions, for Orangemen to parade down the disputed section of the Crumlin Road on the morning of July 12.

It is the evening parade, when Orangemen return from traditional Twelfth commemorations elsewhere in Belfast, that has been prohibited from passing along the road.

Newly appointed Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable George Hamilton said police were planning for every eventuality on the ’Twelfth’.

Mr Hamilton, who appeared before the monthly meeting in Belfast of the PSNI oversight body, the Policing Board, said: “The Parades Commission have issued their determination in relation to the 12th parade in North Belfast.

“Be reassured that PSNI have been planning for every eventuality in recent months. There is no doubt that significant challenges lie ahead, however I want to reiterate our approach will be to uphold the law, protect human rights, implement the Parades Commission determination and work with communities involved to help find solutions.

“I would encourage all communities to continue to show the dignity and respect evident at recent parades and protests so that the remainder of this year’s parading season passes off as peacefully as it has to date. Violence and disorder in relation to the twelfth is not inevitable – individuals have choices to make about how they conduct themselves.”

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Irish constitution referenda Transport Minister does not envisage congestion charges in near future
McEntee: Group using arson to 'sow division and fear' in communities Four arrests in connection with fire at hotel earmarked for asylum seekers
Military accident Two further deaths on Irish roads after collisions in Roscommon and Dublin
War_map
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited