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.

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.