Policing preconditions ‘unacceptable’ – Adams
The Sinn Fein President has branded as “totally and absolutely unacceptable” any attempts by the DUP to attach the parades issue as a precondition to policing devolution.
Gerry Adams has called on the Orange Order to engage in dialogue with local residents to resolve the small number of remaining contentious parades.
It comes after First Minister Peter Robinson told MPs of the “political imperative” to resolve issues of parading in Northern Ireland before policing and justice powers were devolved, during a DUP-led debate in the Commons on Tuesday night.
Mr Robinson also called for the abolition of the Parades Commission, which is responsible for placing restrictions on parades that it deems contentious.
He branded it “not a solution to problems but part of the problem itself”.
On Thursday, Mr Adams said: “The Orange Order and Orangeism is part of who we are as a nation.
‘Dialogue’
“Irish republicans want a dialogue with the loyal institutions in order that we can understand and appreciate each other’s position.”
Sinn Fein and the DUP have met to discuss the comments made by Mr Robinson at Westminster, which prompted angry responses from republicans.
Mr Adams has said the parades issue cannot now be mixed up with the policing and justice debate.
“Has the deal been done? Yes.
“It was led by Martin McGuinness, but it involved the First Minister Peter Robinson – and Peter Robinson has signed on for that. This is an issue which is distinctly separate and which will not be resolved as a precondition – it’s totally and absolutely unacceptable.”
