Parading Issue must be dealt with to ensure Peaceful Summer says UUP Parades Spokesman
UUP Party Parades spokesman Michael Copeland, speaking after minor disturbances in East Belfast and Bangor over the Easter break, said the political parties needed to get together and show leadership over the Parading issue in order to ensure a peaceful summer.
In a statement Mr Copeland said,
“The parading season has begun and once again there were a few minor disturbances and ugly scenes over the Easter break.
Nobody wants to see these scenes and the worry is that with a lack of any fresh ideas or perspectives from government and the Parades Commission, the parading issue has the potential, if not handled correctly, to derail or jeopardise the potential good will and positive new consensus that a return of devolution may bring.
Drumcree needs a solution as do other parades that have been rendered contentious across Northern Ireland. The Ulster Unionist Party is appealing to all parties to urgently begin looking at a collective approach to the Parading issue.
Parading and the issues surrounding it cannot be swept under the carpet any longer. It is in all the parties interest to ensure a peaceful summer in Northern Ireland.”