Stewart Dickson MLA said: “Communities have suffered four nights of trouble which has seriously harmed community relations, damaged Northern Ireland’s international image and resulted in a large number of police officers being injured.
“By opposing the lawful determinations of the Parades Commission, the DUP and UUP are refusing to show their full support for the rule of law and the PSNI.
“We need all political parties to show leadership and help calm the tensions that are running high. By using provocative language that attempts to direct blame towards the Parades Commission, the DUP and UUP are fuelling the protests which have led to trouble that we have witnessed in recent days.”
ENDS
DUP motion to be debated today and the UUP amendment which was not selected for debate.
Motion: Determination of Parades Commission
That this Assembly notes the lawful but illogical determination issued by the Parades Commission on 9 July 2013 in relation to the application by the three Ligoniel Orange Lodges for a parade in Belfast on 12 July 2013; further notes the consequences of the determination and its outworking in that attempts to build a shared future have been harmed by the actions of those who oppose the concept of sharing space and respecting cultural identity; and calls, not only for the rule of law to be upheld, but also for respect and tolerance to be shown for everyone’s cultural identity.
[Mr P Robinson, Mr N McCausland, Mr G Campbell, Mr S Wilson]
Amendment: Leave out all after ’12 July 2013′ and insert:
‘, which is one of many unsound and biased decisions made by the Parades Commission against the Loyal Orders; further notes the consequences of the determination and its outworking in that attempts to build a shared future have been harmed by the actions of those who oppose the concept of sharing space and respecting cultural identity; condemns all violence and calls, not only for respect for the rule of law to be upheld, but also for respect and tolerance to be shown for everyone’s cultural identity.’.
[Mr T Elliott, Mr M Copeland, Mr M Nesbitt]