Minister has no problem with Love Ulster parade

The Government has no problem with this weekend's Love Ulster parade in Dublin and hopes it will pass off peacefully, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said yesterday.

Unionist politicians, Orangemen, loyalist bands and victims of IRA violence plan to march through Dublin city centre on Saturday to highlight the impact of the IRA's campaign over three decades.

"The Irish Government doesn't have a particular attitude towards this parade," Mr Ahern said yesterday before a meeting in Dublin with Northern Parades Commission chairman Roger Poole.

"It's a free country. We hope it passes off peacefully like many of the parades in Northern Ireland, and doesn't lead to difficulties for the public," he added.

Mr Ahern also expressed the Government's general support for the work of the parades commission and stressed that issues surrounding all contentious parades could be resolved through patient dialogue by the parties involved.

"It is a key priority of the Government in making progress towards a stable future in Northern Ireland," the Minister said.

"Contentious parades can have a very damaging effect on tourism, the economy and people's lives in general.

"It is important that everybody, including political leaders, acts responsibly and makes every effort to reduce tensions."

Mr Ahern said the vast majority of uncontested parades in Northern Ireland passed off peacefully.

He said Derry offered a very positive example.