|
The following statement was issued jointly today by the Grand
Orange Lodge of Ireland, the Royal Black Institution, and
the Independent Loyal Orange Institution.
"As leaders of the Loyal Orders we can confirm that
recently each of us has received seperate letters from Sinn
Fein President Gerry Adams MP.
We have noted the terms of Mr Adams' letter, and in particular:
1) The acknowledgement of the right of the Loyal Orders
to parade
2) The description of the role of residents' groups as 'consultees'
3) The recognition that the vast majority of our events
are without incident
4) The acceptance that a new context is necessary to resolve
the outstanding small number of sensitive situations
We are also acutely aware of previous statements from the
same source to the effect that the contention and disputes
over parades has been organised by Sinn Fein-inspired activists.
We have witnessed the outworking of those remarks on the streets
for many years.
Gerry Adams needs to deliver against these new remarks contained
in his letters to Robert Saulters (Grand Master, Grand Orange
Lodge of Ireland), William Logan (Sovereign Grand Master,
Royal Black Institution) and George Dawson MLA (Grand Master,
Independent Loyal Orange Institution). Words alone are not
enough.
As a demonstration of the reality behind Mr Adams' latest
'words', we would expect to see:
1) The unobstructed return of Portadown District from its
church service. This annual service commenced in 1807
2) Public declarations, and positive outworking, of the
concept that protests against parades should be non-provocative,
lawful and entirely peaceful
3) Support for the PSNI in upholding the rule of law in
relation to parades and protests
These actions during the current summer would add credibility
to the content of Mr Adams' letter and go a long way towards
transforming the situtaion and reducing unnecessary tensions
in the community."
Robert Saulters, Grand Master, Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
William J. Logan MBE, Sovereign Grand Master, Royal Black
Institution
George Dawson MLA, Grand Master, Independent Loyal Orange
Institution
|
