Drumcree: MP says nationalists need to 'emotionally regulate' over Garvaghy Rd dispute - and accept a balance of rights
The current situation where unionist rights are “subjugated” is no longer sustainable – and the Drumcree dispute shows there needs to be a balancing of rights in Northern Ireland, Carla Lockhart has said.
The DUP MP’s comments come amid fury in Sinn Fein over a proposed Orange march down Portadown’s Garvaghy Road, with speculation that residents may engage in mediation with the loyal order.
However, First Minister Michelle O’Neill told a party meeting that any such parade would not be allowed to happen – and her party would “stand very clearly with the people of the Garvaghy Road”.
The party had this week said the road at the centre of the dispute is “a nationalist area” and the idea of an Orange Order procession taking place there is “a non-starter”,
Ms Lockhart, the MP for Upper Bann, says nationalism and republicanism “need to emotionally regulate and come to the realisation that the position whereby rights are elevated for those from their tradition, and subjugated for those of the unionist and Orange tradition, is not longer sustainable”.
The DUP politician added: “We need to now set about developing a cultural expression framework which balances the rights of all sections of our society. This require and proportionate, reasonable and equitable approach.
“If all sides approach the issue from that basic premise, alongside an unequivocal commitment to support for the rule of law and removing any threat of violence, disorder or disruption then I believe we have a unique opportunity to heal a deep wound in our society, and in Portadown in particular.”
Republicans have accused unionists of stoking tensions over the parade, with local Sinn Fein councillor Catherine Nelson saying the parade is a “dangerous attempt by unionist leaders to reignite the closed issue of an unwanted march on Garvaghy Road”.
This week, the Orange Order submitted a fresh bid to parade down the road, a route the Protestant organisation has been banned from for 28 years.
Under its latest proposal, 60 Orangemen with no bands would complete the parade at the end of September.
However, the loyal institution has said that the Drumcree dispute will not reach “a final and lasting settlement” until the full Portadown District is allowed to complete the parade, banned almost three decades ago.
The Parades Commission, who will decide whether it will proceed, is required to encourage mediation. Yesterday, the News Letter revealed that it had now put an independent mediator in place, and set a deadline of 5pm on Monday afternoon for Orangemen to confirm whether they will attend. They say they are open to talks.
Reports suggest that a group representing some of the Garvaghy Road residents are also willing to engage in the mediation process through a representative.
However, Sinn Fein has made clear it does not support any discussion over the parade – which it has described as sectarian and supremacist.
A spokesperson for the Parades Commission told the News Letter: “The Commission has always recognised that disputes over public processions are, where possible, best resolved at a local level.
“The Commission has always promoted and been prepared to facilitate mediation in their commitment to working towards peaceful and respectful parading, reducing tensions, and improving community relations”.
A previous application suggested two accompanying bands and up to 400 participants. But the order has described the “limited parade” it is now suggesting as “proportionate, inoffensive and wholly reasonable”.
It would be limited to 60 people, wearing collarettes and no other regalia. The silent parade would have no accompanying bands – with the only banners carried those of the Portadown District, the Union flag and an ex-serviceman’s standard.
Organisers say this would reduce the time required to pass each part of the route to less than two minutes, and no more than 15 minutes to pass the entire contested stretch of the Garvaghy Road.
“We want to make it expressly clear that this parade is not proposed as a final resolution, nor does it dilute the principled and unwavering position that any final and complete solution must entail the complete return home of the Portadown District.
“That is an objective we will continue to pursue with the same vigour and determination which has characterised our stand for the last 28 years”, they said”, the Orange order said.