Kennedy says Orange Hall Attacks are Damaging Inward Investment
Danny Kennedy MLA, Deputy Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, speaking in the Assembly has said that continuing attacks on Orange Halls was doing serious damage to efforts to attract inward investment into the Province.
Drawing attention to the fact that the Assembly was debating the issue on the anniversary of 9/11, the Newry and Armagh MLA also called on the republican and nationalist communities to marginalise groups and individuals who carried out these attacks by informing the Police.
“Make no mistake: the world is watching. Every attack on an Orange Hall and every sectarian incident is logged by overseas investors and reported in the world’s press in the most unlikely places. The eyes that are scrutinising those events are not casual observers — they are potential investors. We had better take notice and listen when they ask whether the Troubles have really stopped.”
“None of us can be half in or half out of the process — an à la carte approach to law and order only when it suits, and when it does not upset any of our supporters. There is nothing more insidious and damaging to the whole political process here than a partial application of the principles of law and order.”
“We cannot afford to have a society frayed around the edges, with the residue of lawlessness hanging over it from its troubled past. Our potential to attract inward investment must not be harmed. The best way to effectively marginalise individuals or groups who indulge in attacks on Orange Halls is to inform the police — that is the way to deal with these activities. If the nationalist and republican communities were to do that, it would help to build a lasting peace and to convince the unionist-minded community that nationalists and republicans are sincere about a shared future.”