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Thursday, 30 September 2010
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Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Ulster-Scots Bus Tour - Reminder
I know some of the folk coming on the bus tour on Saturday are readers here, so this is just a reminder that the coach will be leaving Ards Square at 8.45am, first stop is Newtownards Priory, which the Northern Ireland Environment Agency are opening up specially for us. We plan to be back at the Square for 1.00pm. If you can't make it please get in touch as there are people on a waiting list in the hope of cancellations. If the weather holds it'll be a great forenoon... if it rains, well, Hamilton and Montgomery didn't go back home in 1606 because of a wee skiff now did they? :-) Will post a report and photos next week.
http://ping.fm/mgZSvSwire makes plans for Parades Commission
Swire makes plans for Parades Commission
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Reprieve for Parade's Commission
The Parades Commission will be given a new lease of life after the Orange Order's decision to reject new laws, the First Minister has said.
Peter Robinson said he was disappointed that legislation to create a new way of dealing with controversial marches could not proceeded.
Resolving the dispute was a key element of last winter's Hillsborough Agreement, but it has faced opposition from some unionists who fear fresh restraints.
Mr Robinson said: "It is disappointing that this legislation will not now be introduced and the inevitable consequence of this is that the Secretary of State (Owen Paterson) will reappoint the Parades Commission and, regrettably, it will be given a new lease of life. I see no advantage in moving from one system which the Orange Order does not engage with to another which, at the present time, does not have its support."
The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland decided on Saturday not to review its earlier decision to reject the draft parades bill.
The proposals include plans for two new bodies to replace the Government-appointed Parades Commission.
The blueprint envisages a new focus on dialogue between rival groups to avoid violence.
Under a code of conduct, residents will have the right to live free from sectarian harassment while it will be illegal to block a lawful parade.
Mr Robinson said the draft framework remains on the shelf, but he acknowledged: "The reappointment of the Parades Commission will sadden many within the loyal orders as the commission has proved to be part of the problem rather than part of the solution to parades disputes.
"Whilst some chose to oppose this draft legislation for party political reasons, this was always a choice between the Parades Commission and a new improved system which many within the loyal orders recognised as being preferable to the current arrangements.
Reprieve for Parade's Commission
Parades Commission being reappointed
The process of reappointing the Parades Commission has begun after legislation to replace the body was put on hold, it has emerged.
NI Secretary Owen Paterson is expected to confirm the move later on Tuesday.
In July, the Orange Order rejected the proposed legislation to deal with contentious parades.
DUP leader Peter Robinson said on Monday that the Order's refusal to reconsider its decision meant the Parades Bill had to be delayed.
As a result, the Parades Commission will remain in place for another year.
The draft legislation, which focused on dialogue and a code of conduct for both residents and marchers, emerged following February talks at Hillsborough Castle to resolve a political impasse between the DUP and Sinn Fein.
Mr Robinson said he was "disappointed by the outcome as considerable effort was made at Hillsborough to solve the issues around parades and protests".
The first minister said a "new and improved framework" had been worked out, "based on specifications outlined by the Orange Order".
The proposals contained in the Draft Public Assemblies Bill had been agreed by the DUP and Sinn Fein.
They were rejected by 37 votes to 32 by members of the Grand Lodge of Ireland in July.