Daily
Dispatch Tuesday 31st October 2006
KELLY
– NO NEED TO MEDDLE WITH PARADES COMMISSION
Speaking after an SDLP delegation met with Security Minister Paul
Goggins to discuss the upcoming review of the Parades Commission,
SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly stated:
“The SDLP strongly argued to the Minister that it was unnecessary
and undesirable if the Parades Commission were to undertake a
significant change of its procedures. We made the point in the
clearest possible terms that there was no need to reshape the
purpose and approach of the Commission. The SDLP position has
always been that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
The SDLP also told the Minister that we believed that a politically
motivated review would be damaging and undermine confidence in
the commission. What the DUP and others should be doing is encouraging
that dialogue takes place instead of trying to demolish the commission.
If the DUP are really serious about respecting the rule of law
they should respect the Parades Commission as a part of that.
The fact is since it was founded the Parades Commission has taken
the dispute out of many parades. It has encouraged dialogue and
by avoiding lengthy legal process it has saved us money. There
is no need to run the risk of ruining that progress or hindering
the chances of future dialogue by meddling with the Commissions
role now for no good reason.”
Notes
to Editors: Mrs Kelly was joined at today’s meeting
by SDLP Leader Mark Durkan MP MLA, Alex Attwood MLA, and Alban
Maginness MLA
