NORTHERN SECRETARY Shaun Woodward has announced he is reappointing the Parades Commission for a further 12 months notwithstanding a demand by DUP First Minister Peter Robinson for its abolition.
It was the issue of parades that precipitated the verbal and head-shaking row in front of Taoiseach Brian Cowen in Limavady, Co Derry, between Mr Robinson and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness on Monday.
This was prompted by a demand by Mr Robinson that the issue of parades must be resolved before he would agree to the devolution of policing and justice powers. Mr McGuinness was equally insistent that this was a new and unacceptable precondition to the negotiations.
Mr Woodward said the British government was open to changing the parading arrangements, but only where the parties “mutually agree” a way forward. “Until then the Parades Commission will remain in place,” he said.
Meanwhile, the British and Irish governments continue to strive for a compromise to end the stand-off between the DUP and Sinn Féin.
Mr Woodward met Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin at Hillsborough Castle on Tuesday.
“Sometimes the rhetoric is alarming, and unquestionably the events at Limavady on Monday caused a bit of a shock to some people,” said Mr Woodward after the meeting. He added, however, that the deadlock could be broken.
He said he could understand the frustration of Sinn Féin. Referring to Mr McGuinness setting Christmas as the deadline for agreement on policing and justice, Mr Woodward said: “I’m not about actually holding anyone to a deadline or against a deadline, I’m about helping them fulfil their intention.” Mr Robinson had stated his intention was to see the transfer of justice powers, he said.
Mr Martin said it was within the capacity of the parties, all of whom backed devolving policing and justice, to “bring this over the line”.
Mr Woodward said that he was “optimistic” there could be more UDA decommissioning around Christmas. Mr Martin said: “We would love to see it and we would welcome it warmly.”