The South Belfast MLA stated: “I welcome public conversations, such as the one on BBC Good Morning Ulster today (19 November), around memorialisation and the images visible in different communities.
“Nevertheless, the distinction has to be made between memorials and images which provide for genuine commemoration on one hand, and images which take the form of territory marking or glorification of paramilitary organisations on the other.
“Furthermore, reconciliation cannot come about if people insist on a reading of history which is exclusive to a particular part of the community.
“This is why Alliance is calling on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to conduct an audit of memorials. This process would clarify who is being commemorated and who is not, and would help us assess whether we are collectively committed to remembrance as a means of achieving true reconciliation.
“The goal would then be to collaborate with local communities to work on reimaging these memorials for the greater good, although it’s important to acknowledge that this won’t always be easy.
“The Identity and Language Act provides for an Office of Identity and Cultural Expression, which The Executive Office has estimated will cost £1 million to operate, and it should be able to work through many of these complex issues in conjunction with local communities and other agencies, such as the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
“This will be a challenging process, but 27 years on from the Agreement, it is an opportunity to ensure that peace is followed by reconciliation for the good of everyone in our society.”
“Nevertheless, the distinction has to be made between memorials and images which provide for genuine commemoration on one hand, and images which take the form of territory marking or glorification of paramilitary organisations on the other.
“Furthermore, reconciliation cannot come about if people insist on a reading of history which is exclusive to a particular part of the community.
“This is why Alliance is calling on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to conduct an audit of memorials. This process would clarify who is being commemorated and who is not, and would help us assess whether we are collectively committed to remembrance as a means of achieving true reconciliation.
“The goal would then be to collaborate with local communities to work on reimaging these memorials for the greater good, although it’s important to acknowledge that this won’t always be easy.
“The Identity and Language Act provides for an Office of Identity and Cultural Expression, which The Executive Office has estimated will cost £1 million to operate, and it should be able to work through many of these complex issues in conjunction with local communities and other agencies, such as the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
“This will be a challenging process, but 27 years on from the Agreement, it is an opportunity to ensure that peace is followed by reconciliation for the good of everyone in our society.”