26/06/2014 The View

Confusion over a contentious parade in Portadown.

Is the new Parades' Commission at risk

of damaging its reputation at the start of the marching season?

hear from one former Parades' Commissioner and Orangeman,

the Reverend Brian Kennaway, the SDLP's Dolores Kelly

Public displays of unity, but what's the real state

of the relationship between the First and Deputy First Ministers?

In the same way a chameleon changes its colour, reacting to its

environment, if it is unnerved or under pressure, it changes the way

it looks, and that is kind of what we see with them, and one day

everything is fine, the next day, not so good.

And in Commentators' Corner promising to get their teeth

into the week's political issues are Paul McFadden and Alex Kane.

And you can, of course, join the debate on Twitter.

It's arguably one of the most difficult jobs in Northern Ireland -

But has the Parades' Commission just made its job even more difficult

by performing a U-turn on a recent ruling?

Yesterday the Commission reversed a decision on

a contentious march in Portadown by saying that it could not go into an

area which unionists call Victoria Terrace, but which nationalists say

The DUP has been calling for a further review by the Commission,

Earlier today you claimed you'd got a review of this review.

Tonight the Parades' Commission says no

No, there were delegation today, and all of us left

the meeting under the impression that we had got a review and

Parades' Commission told that we had got a review and

would give us the review that we had got a review and

evidence provided. It just shows how shambolic the Parades' Commission

is. You obviously misunderstood. If I did, then we all did. Maybe you

all wanted to misunderstand. I don't think so. What we have to do is put

this into perspective. This is a parade, a short parade of 45 minutes

to dedicate to someone who died of cancer some months ago. That is all

it is. Let's not make a mountain out of a mole Hill. We have heard

rumours and rhetoric that it is going to be another annual parade.

It is not. It is in writing into the commission that this is a one-off

parade. But it is a new parade, that is the point. It might be, but it is

a one-off. Yes, but it is a new parade. But it is a one-off. They

have been putting up the arch for many years now, but now they

have been putting up the arch for dedicating it. That is the only

difference. But it is a new parade in a contentious area. I would

difference. But it is a new parade to get confirmation of what is

contentious. It to get confirmation of what is

Garvaghy Road. Secondly, we are told that the residents oppose it. My

colleague today went to every single door and spoke to every single

resident in all 22 houses. None of them, none of them had any

objections to the parade or to the service in any shape or form. How

can you be sure? Let me finish. In fact, some of those residents gave

can you be sure? Let me finish. In were more than happy about the

parade. How can you be sure that when somebody knocks on a door, and

if you have an objection to the bread, they say, no I don't, because

they have the desire to require life -- to the parade. You know that is

they have the desire to require life not how it is done. They asked if

they had any concerns, the ethnic community, and this has been raised

again and they were consulted and they had no issue. From Mr

McKenna's point of view, and maybe Dolores Kelly, they are making a

mountain out of a molehill. This is the challenge, that you and the

Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition are making a mountain out of a mole

hill. What is the problem with this taking place? It is interesting that

David and his colleagues said they spoke to people in a few houses, and

they didn't go to the other side of the Garvaghy Road and ask what they

thought about it. It is a new parade. Let's be clear, the

Portadown district comes up with a new idea, a new scam, if you like,

practically, two of the anti-in advance of the annual Drumcree

parade. Last year it was a hymn service in Portadown People's Park.

This year it is about the dedication of an arch. During the years of the

Drumcree parade, barriers went up at the bridge, so it's an entirely new

parade, entirely within a stretch of the Garvaghy Road and people are

very concerned. Concerned about what? A number of things. It is a

new parade going up the Garvaghy Road, and in recent years the junior

Orange has gone off peacefully and there has been a growing tolerance.

It is not going up the Garvaghy Road, it is going up part of what

you might call a wider Garvaghy Road area. It is actually called Victoria

Terrace. It doesn't say Garvaghy Road on the signpost. There is a

change across the North. Do you accept it's not called the Garvaghy

Road? It is indistinguishable baroque -- it is interesting above.

It is called Victoria Terrace. It faces the Garvaghy Road and people

are very anxious about it. One thing the Parades' Commission did not have

on the website was the fact there would be a religious service on the

Garvaghy Road and it's not a case of just two bands, the application says

there are 200 participants expected to take part alongside the two bands

on that stretch. Just put it right, 100 men and band. That is not what

the application says. Dolores Kelly, where is the tolerance that the SDLP

talks about, for a community that regards itself as beleaguered and

under threat? We have had the queen here, the talk about reaching out my

hand, going the extra mile, live and let live, where is the SDLP on that?

The people of Portadown have seen the triumphalism displayed by the

Unionist parties and the Orange order over many years, never mind

the violence associated with Drumcree. The outward parade to the

Drumcree church is increasingly go through a Catholic nationalist area

and there is no issue with that, and that is something that should be

allowed to continue. There is a growing tolerance for the junior

Orange and that is something we would continue to welcome. But the

Portadown district has failed to have any discussion with the

residents today. I want to bring in Reverend Brian Kennaway, a former

Orangeman, and not involved in this determination, and you do have a

privileged position in understanding this decision-making processes,

given your past, so has the current Parades' Commission made a mess of

this? I think the perception, and it's always the perception that

carries the day, the perception is is that they are indecisive, and

that is very bad. We used to get all the facts around the table, look at

every aspect, came to a decision and we stuck with a decision unless

there was some exceptional, new information. I'd be interested to

know what the new information is. People keep talking about new

information. But all that information should have been on the

table before the original decision was made. So, in your view, and I

don't want to put words in your mouth, but would you have been

happier if the Parades' Commission had stuck to its original

determination and not gone back on it? Whatever the original

determination was, yes. It's not you specifically agree with it, it's the

principle? It's not uncommon for reviews to be held by any Parades'

Commission and the decision overturned. You must have been

involved in reviewing decisions and changing them. No huge changes. We

have tweaked it. Right, what about the way that this has been handled

in terms of PR? We can't get anybody from the Parades' Commission to talk

to us and we don't know the detail of how the original decision was a

Rybak, why it was changed, and were not clear about the situation

tonight -- was arrived at. David Simpson left the meeting with the

understanding there would be a review and the Parades' Commission

made it clear to neither that is not the case because no new evidence was

brought forward. I'd like to know what the new evidences. We would all

like to know. These are public issues because it affects every

aspect of life when there is a dispute in a volatile situation, as

we live in. The new evidence, whatever it was, should be out

there, and we should say that we reviewed it in the light of this. Do

you think the new chair of the Parades' Commission should be

explaining on behalf of them how the determination was arrived at? It

hasn't actually seen an single interview since the new Commissioner

took over. It's not the way was when were there. We were keen to get the

message out as soon as we could. Peter Osborne, who chaired the

commission when you were involved, he was quick to explain the

rationale behind the decisions. Is that a better way of operating? I

think it is. But when determinations made people read from the back, and

they only read the bold determination of the back of it, not

the reasoning at the beginning. David Simpson, quickly, the

commission says in a statement which is not terribly helpful and is quite

complicated, but it said it had to turn down your request for the

review because your presentation did not contain new information or

representations. You know, that is nonsense. We gave new

and we gave evidence on consultations

and we gave evidence on want to raise with Dolores. -- I

want to race. You that the Orangeman in Portadown had not engaged or

talked to the Garvaghy Road residence. You will note, the ten

years, almost 12 years, there has been an open invitation and no

preconditions at all to meet with those Garvaghy Road residence and

numerous chairmen will put former -- were put forward, so if you can't

talk to people around the table, you cannot engage. I believe in a

dialogue, but we cannot get it. That was not always the case. Indeed not.

You did call Fricke, and now it is the case, why not call their bluff

-- call for it. Let's be clear, over the years there have been talks

around the table, proximity talks, forced marches and then no talks at

all. Then the Portadown district want to have talks but only about

getting down the road, not the wider impact of community relations. There

is a view in the nationalist community in Portadown that the

Drumcree dispute is settled, it is resolved. That is a very real view.

And it is a view of many people within the Protestant community as

well. A quick response, but then I want to widen this. The bottom line

is, if you are for a shared space, we have the People's Park

is, if you are for a shared space, ten metres away from the arch and ?6

million will be ten metres away from the arch and ?6

yachtsmen. They have been putting out -- creating an argument. They

put out their football teams and there is no shared space. When I

travelled here tonight I saw men putting a union Jacks on lamp post.

Not much sign of shared space there. There is very little tolerance.

Tolerance works both ways. Decommissioning wind to the

Secretary of State to see that there should have been raised, you are not

aware of that? Absolutely not. Some concerns about phthalates to the

peace process. -- threats. Sources have told some of my colleagues that

members of the DUP have indeed raised concerns about what would

happen if certain parades on zero allowed to take place? I do not

think Phillips is the right word. -- threats. Were issues like nurseries?

I think this is what has happened again. We were told that if we did

not permit a certain parade, the same people came in and the assembly

does not,. -- did not collapse. Vessel was lobbying from Unionists?

Do you know anything about that? I have never attended any of those

meetings. Sinn Fein have used those threats. Not down the Garvaghy Road.

Festively keeps repeating itself. When a new Secretary of State, zone,

it is the scene. It would make sense, from a policy point of view,

for the DVD, as these parades do not go on then there will be some unrest

and violence. We here that was going to be trouble last Friday night but

it did not materialise. He had concerns that circumstances may

arise. So there is a concern? The First Minister... Go to Brazil? If

certain worries that not happen, I am not talking about that, I am

talking about ethos minister who has concerns about Northern Ireland.

What is your advice to people who need be unhappy about the position

as this particular determination is concerned? I do not think that'll

happen. I think they are as dignity within the service. -- there is. I

do not think we have any fear of that. We need to leave it there.

Thank you. The Queen being shown around

Crumlin Road Gaol by two of its former residents -

who just happen to be the First Yet more history was made this week

in Belfast - and it was all smiles from Peter Robinson and

Martin McGuinness as they welcomed Later in the day

the Queen delivered a speech which appeared to address those

unresolved issues which continue to I know there are many challenges

ahead and peacemaking is not always an easy task. But you have come this

far by tunnelling the impossible into the possible. As you face the

future, always remember that the thoughts and prions of millions are

always with you. There's little doubt

the Queen has become a highly symbolic figure in the

peace process - from her visit to Dublin, to those many images of her

shaking Martin McGuinness's hand. But is her involvement more

than purely symbolic? Joining me from Dublin is

the author and journalist Mary Kenny who has written extensively

about the royals and, in particular, the Queen's relationship with

the island of Ireland. Thank you for joining us. You have

been a long time of the Queen in Northern Ireland, how much of a

central role she nobly? -- does she play? The monarch will do what the

Prime Minister directs. The has been a strong commitment at Downing

Street to proceed with this process. I think the Queen has added her own

commitment to this project. It came off very strongly when she visited

the Republic of Ireland in 2011. Sinn Fein stood aloof from a visit.

They may feel now that they made a mistake. It was a fairly warm visit.

It healed old wounds. I think Martin McGuinness is a remarkable man. He

has made his own journey and he has shown a dizzy spell it in the way

that he has built bridges with people from the opposing side. --

great spirit. It is a very achieving spectacle. She is doing the betting

of our Prime Minister and her government as she said. But as it's

a bit of personal business on her part as well? She specifically

wanted to go to the Republic. I think you will remember that the

minute. -- the first time they met. The Queen

willing smile. -- very. She as a willing smile. -- very. She as a

genuine Christian. She believes in building bridges and moving forward.

She has had the experience, 60 years building bridges and moving forward.

Commonwealth. -- working. She is lending a commitment to this. Almost

Commonwealth. -- working. She is an eight core of her George V, he

was a unionist. an eight core of her George V, he

He said in his letters, over and over again, he wanted to be fair. He

strove so much to be a reconciling figure. He was genuinely horrified.

He is moving forward as one must do. I think this has been a wonderful

week. I wonder what you think the Queen might make of Martin

McGuinness shaking her hand. Some Unionists are still very unhappy at

that process. They have concerns about the Britishness in Northern

Ireland's society. Obviously we do not know what the Queen would say.

But I think she would want to bring communities together. That is also

concern about the referendum in Scotland. The Queen will be thinking

that Scotland will hopefully not fracture the union. Diverse and

different though they may be, cultural backgrounds, nevertheless,

we have an awful lot in common. Thank you.

Well, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness might have looked

the picture of contentment as they greeted the Queen this week -

but what is the real state of their political and personal relationship?

Our Political Correspondent, Martina Purdy, has been getting

the views of those who keep a close eye on the partnership.

The every move that the meat is interpreted and perhaps

misinterpreted. It is complicated because the public expects one thing

from them and the party expects something different. Unlike of trust

makes it difficult. -- A lack of. They are not masters of everything

that they are trying to content with. But when they worked together,

the more leverage they have. It was in June 2008 that Peter Robinson and

Martin McGuinness began to share power. Good times and bad times in

this political marriage of convenience. It is at events like

this that Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness are at their best. A

partly short of unity. -- public show. You will be pleased to know

that 12,783 jobs have been achieved to March 2014 against a target of

90,000. The feelings are often on display. -- Their failings. They

criticise the media for giving a negative impression but those say

that" diffident signals at different times. They are clearly reactive to

the temperature, the environment, the circumstances that they are

operating. The same week that he can you even changes its colour. That is

kind of what we see sometimes. One day, everything seems to be fine.

The next day, not so good. That may be a consequence of some of the

things that we do not see. The rest over the maize has been a common

point, because Peter Robinson pulled the plug without telling Martin

McGuinness fast. The trust is not the. -- there. Maybe now, we need to

have a more proactive form of government. It has served its

purpose. Peace and stability. Only last week, Peter Robinson told the

BBC's political editor he was cancelling the trip to Brazil

without telling Martin McGuinness fast. I think the whole concept of

the joint office is a good one. People need to work Better Together.

Now you see me, now you don't, that is the attitude. I can understand

that. I was in a similar position, I suppose, to Martin McGuinness. That

sort of thing. It is difficult. More difficult still is the very partly

deploying over welfare reform. Peter Robinson told this programme that

Martin McGuinness had agreed a deal ending field to deliver. It is not

my belief, it is my knowledge. They are already facing ?100 million in

fines from London over the field up to introduce welfare changes. Also

disagreement on how to find this money. A summer scheme to help 50

young people in rest at media is in north Belfast was cancelled this

year because funding has not come through. The last contact we had was

in me. -- May. Either it is the resource issue, but as the top

through with various politicians, that is an indication that it may be

connected to the welfare budget. We do not know at our level. The money

is not getting released. The department said it has the love of

half ?1 million so far to priority projects. With elections looming,

half ?1 million so far to priority and talks beginning next week, and

speculation about what the Peter Robinson as an isolated figure,

relations could become even more Robinson as an isolated figure,

trained, leading perhaps to more problems. What is your message? To

all politicians, please sort out these roadblocks, because we need

you to give leadership. We need you to help us move on.

Let's hear what tonight's commentators make

I'm joined by Alex Kane and Paul McFadden.

Good evening. Let's talk Portadown Parade. Is the Parades'

Commission boxing itself into a corner? It is. I find it

extraordinary that a Parades' Commission with so much on its

extraordinary that a Parades' shoulders, it's almost like a mute

response. No one shoulders, it's almost like a mute

anything. In fairness to them, they exist because the DUP and Sinn Fein

and SDLP failed to reach an agreement on the alternative, and

there's no point David agreement on the alternative, and

Dolores Kelly saying that they should have done this or that, until

they come up with something better, the Parades' Commission is what you

are stuck with, but if you are stuck with it, they have do have the

courage to come onto the programme and explain exactly what happened,

because the last few days has been a mess. A PR disaster. You work in PR

and public affairs and you were a journalist for many years. Do you

think the School report is could do better, in its current incarnation

question I think this could have been handled better. We will see

this as a fairly dramatic and obvious U-turn by the Parades'

Commission in relation to this. It was interesting that Brian Kennaway

spoke about the importance of the commission sticking with the

decision but it's important it makes the right decision in the first

instance and is in full possession of the facts. Interesting that

Dolores Kelly was talking about the belief in the nationalist community

in Portadown that they give out the road issued had been settled --

Vahey Road issue had been settled, and it's another case of people not

knowing. Some sources talking about unrest during the marching season. I

don't know what you are hearing, but some people are not, and they don't

want to see -- seem to be wanting to talk up the situation, but there

must be some concern three weeks from the 12th of July. The tour of

the North people said could be spectacularly bad but it passed over

peacefully. We all come from the media perspective. Maybe we didn't

talk it up enough and say that this was an example of a parade which

could have been bad but was actually very good. But I know on both

sides, not just the DUP, but also Sinn Fein and other elements of

republicanism are both privately say that this Parades' Commission and

the previous one, that's going to give this a problem if they don't

make the right decision and make it go our way. What do you make of the

first minister announcing that he will not go to Brazil because he's

concerned the marching season? Extraordinary. As you were

suggesting to David Simpson, in terms of the available information

the BBC journalist, we had Dolores Kelly talking about the perception

of threats being made to the political process, and David Simpson

talking about people expressing concerns for Northern Ireland. It is

certainly difficult to distinguish between the two. Let's move on to

the fulcrum of the political process, the relationship between

the first minister and Deputy first Minister. You saw Martina Purdy's

report and we saw them contented with the Queen, but clearly not

contented as far as dealing with outstanding policy issues. The

difficulty with the two men is that they don't like each other. Forget

the optics, the smiles of a camera, on a personal level, they don't like

each other. It's like Abbott and Costello. A big successful show

business couple, but away from the screen they despised each other. If

the two men at the centre don't like each other, it's difficult for

anything to trickle down other than the same hostility. To be fair to

them, there was agreement today at the executive on the single farm

payment. A chink of light, but the issues of welfare reform, coming in

the near future, that will be more difficult to resolve. If I had a

party popper, I would blow it. Good for you. Bring one next time you are

here. That's it from The View

for this week. Join me for Sunday Politics

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