Majority of Ulster parades 'peaceful'
More than 95% of all parades in Northern Ireland during the summer passed off without incident and without any ruling from the Parades Commission.
Commission chairman Tony Holland paid tribute to all those taking part in the parades and urged winter dialogue between rivals to make things even better next year.
He said preliminary figures showed that his body had to restrict less than 5% of parades during the key marching season of June, July and August.
‘‘The figures speak for themselves and do not support the assertions, made by some, that we are against parades or are somehow out to destroy the parading culture,’’ said Mr Holland.
In what amounted to an end-of-term report on the marching season, Mr Holland urged more dialogue to resolve parading disputes such as Drumcree.
He cited Derry where previously contentious parades took place this year without trouble following local agreement.
Mr Holland said: ‘‘There are some first signs that similar initiatives could get underway elsewhere and we would give them all our encouragement.
‘‘Indeed we are examining ways in which we can, within the provisions of the law under which we operate, help to promote these efforts.’’
The commission accepted that parade organisers would wish to continue to apply for routes which had been previously, and in many cases consistently, denied, he said.
The commission continued to stress to them that each decision was for one parade only but if they continued to reapply for a parade with nothing having changed, there was a risk of a repeat decision.
‘‘What has been demonstrated in 2001 is that when things do change, so can the commission’s decisions,’’ he said.
Every autumn, said Mr Holland, there was a hope that the winter months would be used constructively and that issues would not be allowed to lie dormant until the spring.
‘‘This year is no different. But I do believe that there are some grounds for optimism this year - an optimism which needs the oxygen of dialogue across all fronts so that we can build on the progress of this year and look forward to an even better one in 2002,’’ he said.
