Parades Commission

The Parades Commission is a quasi-judicial body responsible for placing restrictions on or banning outright any parades in Northern Ireland it deems contentious or offensive. It is composed of seven members, all of whom are appointed by the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Restrictions include a prohibition on music being played, banning a parade from certain areas, determining the route of a parade, and banning bands it deems provocative. Its rulings are usually enforced by either parade stewards or the Police Service of Northern Ireland, though there are disputes as to whether this is done to the letter of the law in certain areas. Parade organisers are liable to prosecution for breaching any of the Commission's rulings, although no-one has been charged since the Commission was established in 1997.

Related Topics:
Northern Ireland - British - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland - Police Service of Northern Ireland - 1997

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The Commission was set up after the large-scale civil strife that followed the dispute over an Orange Order parade from Drumcree Church in Portadown. It has come under strong criticism from the Order, who now refuse to talk to the Commission at all.

Related Topics:
Orange Order - Drumcree Church - Portadown

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