The decision on the contentious Garvaghy Road parade and its aftermath have added to tensions between the two governments and will increase pressure for the speedy introduction of legislation on parades, writes Denis Coghlan, Chief Political Correspondent
By DENIS COGHLAN
THE Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, was openly critical of the decision to allow Orangemen to parade down the Garvaghy Road yesterday and offered only qualified support for the Northern Ireland Secretary's future handling of the political situation.
In line with his policy of publicly upholding the nationalist position in dealings with the British government, Mr Ahern has made no attempt to conceal his disappointment and dismay at yesterday's events. A 7.30 a.m. courtesy telephone call from the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, informing the Taoiseach of the RUC decision, failed to blunt his criticism.
The Garvaghy Road decision had made life difficult for everyone, he said, and the Government had an obligation to understand the nationalist position and the sense of disappointment within that community.
Asking that dignity and respect be shown by the two communities, Mr Ahern commented: "Anyone being faced down or anyone being pushed through is a bad decision."
The Taoiseach went on: "I was aware last weekend what was likely to happen. Now we are in a position where it has happened. I certainly am disappointed with that. I regret it. But I want to see these matters dealt with with respect and dignity so that we can move on, because the greater issue is the ultimate political solution, and that is what I am going to continue to work for."
The Government's response to yesterday's events will take the form of pressure for the introduction of early British legislation providing for new ground rules and a code of practice for parades in Northern Ireland.
A scheduled meeting at the Northern Ireland talks process in Belfast tomorrow is likely to be devoted to a consideration of the matter when the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Burke, meets the Northern Ireland Secretary.
The former Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, regretted that a peaceful solution to the impasse at Drumcree had not been achieved. But he implicitly criticised Mr Ahern for public statements last week in which he said it would be "folly" to force the march through.
The failure to secure a peaceful solution based on "a voluntary non- exercise of acknowledged rights" by the Orange Order was, Mr Bruton said, "in part because there was a premature taking of public positions on issues that were still the subject of private negotiations".
The difficulties generated by the Garvaghy Road parade were cited yesterday in a formal Government statement as emphasising "the urgency of working out agreed ground rules and a code of practice for parades to ensure that conflicting rights are reconciled through dialogue and reasonable compromise."
But agreement on the shape of future legislation - already promised for the autumn by Dr Mo Mowlam - is unlikely to go far enough to meet the depth of current Government concerns.
Mr Ahern's unwillingness to offer unqualified political support for the future efforts of Dr Mowlam in relation to both contentious parades and the multi-party talks reflects existing tensions between the two governments.
Government sources said that while the Taoiseach wished to move forward to the wider political agenda, there had to be some recognition by the British government of the hurt and disappointment felt by the nationalist community when it came to consider future contentious Orange parades.
The decision in relation to the Garvaghy Road had been taken on security grounds by the Chief Constable of the RUC, Mr Flanagan, because of his concerns relating to public order and the possible loss of life, they said. But it did not reflect the kind of political balance between the two communities that the governments were working towards.
A balance would have to be struck in relation to future parades, which would reflect the rights of both communities. That view would be put to the British government and to the RUC in the coming week, they said.
Mr Ahern was in contact with the Tanaiste and leader of the Progressive Democrats, Ms Mary Harney, during the day and she was said to share his disappointment over what had transpired.
A Government statement confirmed that "serious concern" had been voiced to the British government ever the implications of the march.
In spite of its concerns and regrets, the Government said it would not be deflected from the search for peace. "We must redouble our efforts to achieve a political solution which will ensure full respect for the identities of both traditions and replace conflict with dialogue and accommodation.
Among the political observers on the Garvaghy Road yesterday was Mr Eamon O Cuiv TD, who is expected to be nominated as a Minister of State by the Taoiseach.
Mr O Cuiv said every effort had been made within the nationalist community to prevent violence and he criticised the heavy-handed behaviour of the RUC and British army as they moved in to seal off the road.
Because the parade had been forced through, there was a "deep, deep feeling of hurt and resentment" and a view that might was right.
Mr Trevor Sargent TD and Ms Patricia McKenna MEP of the Green Party also attended as observers and they identified "a sense of being let down" within the nationalist community. They were particularly critical of the security forces for their use of plastic bullets.
Now that the Drumcree march is over, both governments will begin the task of assessing the damage done to community relations and the political process. They will also seek to minimise further inter-communal dislocation in the months leading up to the planned political talks in September.