Alliance welcomes Ashdown parading review appointment

3.54.09pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 18th Apr 2007

Alliance Party Justice Spokesperson, Stephen Farry MLA

Alliance Party Justice Spokesperson, Stephen Farry MLA, has welcomed the latest Review of Parading announced today by the Secretary of State, and the appointment of Lord Ashdown to lead the process. He stressed the importance of the interests of all sections of the community, not just the immediate protagonists, being taken into account.

North Down MLA Stephen Farry stated:

"Considerable progress has been made on addressing parades in recent years, but many tensions and problems remain. Alliance would certainly welcome any effort to find a comprehensive and sustainable solution to these problems. Any such outcome must focus on upholding public safety, protecting human rights, and creating a shared future.

"Paddy Ashdown is an international statesman, and someone with a firm grounding in conflict resolution with considerable knowledge of Northern Ireland.

"It is important that any review is more than just an attempt to reconcile the competing interests of those who want to parade and those who object to parades. The voices of ordinary citizens and the business community that suffer when contentious parades create public disorder or violence must be heard and taken into account."

ENDS