Asked by: Lord Laird (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Dunlop on 31 October (HL2453), whether the Northern Ireland Parades Commission is only accountable to the courts on issues of human rights within the terms of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998; and what scrutiny there is of the Commission's actions.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
The Parades Commission for Northern Ireland is required to comply with the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998, which is compliant with international treaty obligations on human rights. As a public authority the Commission also has general obligations under public law. The Commission is ultimately responsible to the courts for the discharge of its operations.
There is no one body or individual charged specifically with scrutinising the Parades Commission’s compliance with international treaty obligations, including on human rights. Should any individual or organisation feel that the Commission has acted contrary to its obligations, they have a right to take steps to challenge those actions through the courts.
Asked by: Lord Laird (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Dunlop on 31 October (HL2406), whether parity of esteem, as set out in the Belfast Agreement 1998, relates to (1) individuals, (2) communities, or (3) both.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
This Government understands the concept of parity of esteem, as set out in the 1998 Belfast Agreement, as relating to and placing a general obligation on the UK Government to treat people of different traditions or communities in Northern Ireland fairly and with equal respect.
Asked by: Lord Laird (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what revisions have been made to the Northern Ireland Parades Commission procedural rules and guidelines in the last five years.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
No revisions have been made to the procedural rules or the guidelines issued by the Parades Commission in the last five years. In line with the provisions of the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998, the procedural rules and the guidelines are required to be kept under review by the Commission; it is a matter for the Commission whether it proposes any revisions to the relevant instruments.
Asked by: Lord Laird (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Dunlop on 17 October (HL2170), which body or individual ensures that the Northern Ireland Parades Commission is compliant with international treaty obligations concerning human rights.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
There is no one body or individual that is specifically responsible for ensuring the Parades Commission complies with international treaty obligations, including on human rights. Further to my written answer of 17 October, the Commission operates independently of the Government, in line with the provisions contained in the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998. That Act is compliant with international treaty obligations on human rights, and the Commission is accountable to the courts for its operational decisions.
Asked by: Lord Laird (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the concept of parity of esteem, as outlined in the Belfast Agreement 1998, applies to (1) members of the armed forces who served in Northern Ireland but reside in another part of the UK, (2) members of terrorist organisations who were active in Northern Ireland and reside there, and (3) members of terrorist organisations who were active in Northern Ireland but reside in the Republic of Ireland.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
This Government understands the concept of parity of esteem, as set out in the 1998 Belfast Agreement, as placing a general obligation on the UK Government to govern in the interests of the whole community and to treat people of different traditions fairly and with equal respect. In the Agreement it is clearly expressed and defined in relation to people living in Northern Ireland. As a general obligation there is no definition of particular circumstances in which it does or does not apply.
The concept of parity of esteem does not absolve people from upholding the law: terrorism was wholly wrong. This Government will never accept any form of equivalence between members of the armed forces who upheld democracy and the rule of law and those who engage in terrorism or other forms of paramilitary activity.
Asked by: Lord Laird (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government in what way the Northern Ireland Parades Commission meets international treaty obligations on human rights.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
The duties and functions of the Northern Ireland Parades Commission are set out in the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998. The Act is compliant with international treaty obligations on human rights.
Asked by: Lord Laird (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government in what way the Northern Ireland Parades Commission is accountable to them and to the courts.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
The Parades Commission operates independently of Government in line with the provisions contained in the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998.
The Commission is accountable to the courts for its operational decisions.
The Commission is accountable to the Northern Ireland Office for the management of its resources.
Asked by: Lord Laird (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the rules and procedures of the Northern Ireland Parades Commission were most recently reviewed, and when the next review will be.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
The Public Processions (NI) Act 1998 requires the Parades Commission to keep the procedural rules and guidelines it issues under that Act under review and empowers it to, from time to time, revise the whole or any part of the procedural rules and guidelines and issue the revised versions.
The rules and guidelines are reviewed on an annual basis; the timing of such reviews is a matter for the Parades Commission.
Asked by: Lord Laird (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the concept of parity of esteem, as outlined in the Belfast Agreement 1998, will be involved in any way in the arrangements for withdrawal from the EU, and if so, how.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
The people of the United Kingdom have voted to leave the European Union and their will must be respected and delivered. The interests of all parts of our United Kingdom must be protected and advanced. As we prepare for a new negotiation with the European Union, we will fully involve the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland governments.
The Government remains fully committed to the Belfast Agreement, its fundamental principles, and its successors and to the institutions they establish.
Asked by: Lord Laird (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are committed to the protection of people against any form of discrimination and the promotion of opportunity for all across the whole UK, and if so, what is the purpose of the concept of parity of esteem as outlined in the Belfast Agreement 1998 and whether this promotes more equality between people who live in Great Britain and people who live in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Lord Dunlop
I refer the Noble Lord to the responses I gave to questions HL99-104 and HL129-131 on the 26 May.
These answers set out clearly and in detail this Government’s position on the concept of parity of esteem and its application. I have nothing further to add to them.