Parades review 'free from interference'
The man chosen to head a review into the Parades Commission insisted today it would not be restricted by political constraints.
Former Ulster Bank chairman George Quigley said he would not have agreed to undertake the task if political constraints had been imposed.
‘‘One thing I can assure everybody about, that is whatever the political context out of which the review has emerged, it will definitely not be a political review.
‘‘Government has assured me that I will have complete freedom to conduct it as I deem appropriate to arrive at whatever conclusions I judge appropriate.’’
Mr Quigley will report to Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid and any recommendations for changes in the legislation would be introduced after next summer.
The aim of the review is to try to heighten public confidence - particularly among the unionist community - in the group which rules on contentious marches.
The review was one of a number of measures proposed at the Weston Park talks on August 1.
The Commission, which was set up in February 1998, imposes restrictions on about 5% of the estimated 3,500 parades staged in Northern Ireland every year.
It is hoped that the measure may eventually help lead to agreement on controversial parades such as Drumcree in Portadown, Co Armagh.
David Jones, spokesman for the Orange Order in Portadown, welcomed the review, adding he hoped it would lead to reform of the Parades Commission.
‘‘We would hope that this particular review would be much more inclusive and take into account the legislative base itself and hopefully the legislation would be reformed,’’ he said.
But Breandan MacConnaith, spokesman for the nationalist Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition, which opposes an Orange march from Drumcree Church through their area, said the review was a ‘‘backward step’’.
‘‘The two governments have a duty to explain why this review is taking place. It is clearly seen by nationalists as a concession to unionists.’’
