A new compensation scheme is to be introduced for Orange Order and other community halls targeted in arson attacks in Northern Ireland, it was announced today.
Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward, who discussed the issue with Orange leaders and senior members of the DUP including the party's leader-elect Peter Robinson last Friday night, confirmed he had agree to speed up the compensation process.
With three Orange halls attacked this year and 27 last year, the Order and unionist parties have been lobbying the British government over the past six years to change the compensation system.
As he announced plans for legislation for a new statutory compensation scheme, Mr Woodward acknowledged there had been a sharp increase in attacks.
"I welcome the significant increase in policing to protect against further attacks and whilst there has been a noticeable decline I believe that we all have a responsibility to protect community halls from this kind of wanton
vandalism," he said.
"It is very important that the insurance industry continue to do everything possible to help, but it now seems appropriate for the government to step in and help those organisations which are being victimised by criminals," he said.
"Therefore I intend to publish draft legislation and a consultation paper in June, which will amend legislation and introduce a specific change to provide a statutory compensation scheme for those community halls which are the victims of these kind of attacks."
As well as covering Orange halls, the legislation will include halls operated on a not-for-profit basis by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Masons and Knights of Columbanus.
The Orange Order has estimated there have been 289 arson attacks on their property since 1971.
They and the unionist parties urged the Northern Ireland Office to remove a requirement for PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde to sign a form confirming halls were targeted maliciously by three or more people before compensation can be released.
They wanted the halls to be given the same kind of treatment afforded to isolated agricultural property attacked during the Troubles.
A spokesman for the Grand Lodge of Ireland welcomed the announcement and said they were looking forward to seeing the draft legislation.
PA