Debate contribution: Parades Commission: Public Confidence
Debate contribution by Mrs Diane Dodds on .
- MLA
- Mrs Diane Dodds
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 7 September 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Matter of the Day
- Heading
- Parades Commission: Public Confidence
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5669550
Read the official Assembly record
Text
The 25th of August was a day of shame for the Parades Commission. It was also a day of vindication for Portadown district. I sat in the court as the judge described decision-making as "sloppy". The representative from the Parades Commission had to apologise for the wrongful information around whether Carla Lockhart had been notified to make representation. It revealed decision-making by WhatsApp. At least two commissioners did not have the time or could not be bothered to read a pre-cooked determination by the secretariat. Absolutely shameful. Another commissioner told everyone not to mention mediation because it would only give "them" something to prod at. Absolutely shameful. The Parades Commission completely ignored its lawful duty to ensure that mediation took place. Along with my colleague Jonny Buckley, I met the Parades Commission in January this year to have a conversation about parading in general but specifically about Portadown and Drumcree. We talked about how mediation could turn things around in Portadown and, indeed, across unionism in Northern Ireland. The commission really did not care less; it was just ticking a box and going on with its process.
What has happened since — I want to address it because it is important — is revealing about political parties in the Chamber.
The narrative has been, "It is all finished; it was 28 years ago; forget about it; move on; let's not do anything else". For Portadown district, however, it is not finished. They have not completed their lawful parade, nor have they been allowed their rights of assembly and parading. The arrogance of politicians in this House is clear for all to see. Alliance tells us, "Just move on. Forget about it". The SDLP says that Portadown district wants to provoke tribal warfare. For the SDLP's information, Portadown district has made it absolutely clear that violence is not on the agenda. It is not its intention and it is not where it wants anyone to go. All of the hyperbole that we have heard from the other side of the Chamber is exactly that, and it is stoking up fear and tension —
— in the Garvaghy Road community.
358 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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