Comission hits back in Drumcree row
Chairman of the Parades Commission, Peter Osborne. INPT25-022
THE NI Parades Commission has strongly refuted a suggestion made by unionist councillors that it is not putting the “same effort” into resolving the Drumcree impasse as tackling July 12th civil unrest in north Belfast.
The commission was responding to a notice of motion passed by Craigvon councillors from the DUP and UUP calling for it to implement in Portadown a similar initiative currently being carried out by Lord Alderdice in Belfast.
The motion, which called for “the same amount of effort to be afforded to the people of Portadown”, was passed last month and at Craigavon Borough Council’s mid-monthly meeting on Monday members learned of the commission’s response.
In a letter signed by Peter Osborne, chairman of the Parades Commission, the unionist councillors’ suggestion was firmly rejected. “It is completely wrong to suggest that the commission has been less active on the issue of Portadown. Indeed in recent months we have met with more than 100 people and organisations to take their minds on the issue and on the way forward,” it read.
The letter goes on to mention that it held both a private and public meeting in the Seagoe Hotel. “We have similarly sought to have meetings with council officers.”
Mr Osborne then added that the commission would be willing to meet the council’s party group leaders. However, the offer was critcised by Alderman Sydney Anderson who told members that the commission should be willing to meet all council members.
DUP colleague Alderman Stephen Moutray, said, “(The commission) certainly haven’t been proactive. We are way behind what has happened in north Belfast.”
Councillors agreed to defer making a decision on whether or not to proceed with a meeting with the commission until the organisation responded to a second letter, sent by the council, asking for details on what the Lord Alderice initiative entailed and what is involved.
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Weather for Portadown
Monday 20 May 2013
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