GAA games are excluded from parade body's remit

GAA games will not now come within the ambit of the Northern Ireland Parades Commission, it is understood.

Following nationalist anger and pressure from the Government, the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, has decided to exclude the games from the commission's considerations, according to Northern and Dublin sources.

It was argued that bringing GAA games within the commission's remit would be a confidence-building measure for unionists. But it appears Dr Mowlam has resisted pressure from the UUP leader, Mr David Trimble, to extend the remit beyond that of contentious, particularly loyal order, parades.

Sources say, however, that Gaelic culture will still be scrutinised by the commission under new proposals due to be published by Dr Mowlam today. Draft wording has the Commission dealing with contentious parades and "other expressions of cultural identity which would have an adverse impact on relations in the community".

This appears to refer to Gaelic culture generally and could mean that activities such as fleadhanna and feiseanna could be banned if it were felt they trampled on unionist sensitivities.

Moreover, the proposed guidelines refer to the commission determining whether controversial parades are "customarily held along specific routes" - an apparent reference to traditional Orange parades. It is unclear whether demographic changes or local objections to marches in predominantly nationalist areas such as Dunloy, the Garvaghy Road, and the Ormeau Road will be taken into account.

If the traditional parades argument were to take precedence over the argument that such areas now have predominantly nationalist populations, it could mean a Drumcree-type march again being allowed down Garvaghy Road.

Ms Brid Rodgers, cultural affairs spokeswoman for the SDLP, warned last night that extending the scope of the commission beyond its original remit to deal with contentious parades could "open a can of worms".

"I am concerned that Irish culture, which is already marginalised by the British state, should come within the remit of the commission", she said. "If that happens, instead of problems during the marching season, you will have trouble the whole year long, with certain unionist politicians opposing fleadhs and Comhaltas sessions, and whatever else they don't like about Irish culture," she added.

UUP MP Mr Jeffrey Donaldson said that his party was not seeking to "demonise" Gaelic culture or the GAA. He said, however, there were some features of Gaelic culture which were offensive.

Mr Joel Patton of the Spirit of Drumcree Group said that if loyalist culture was to be scrutinised, so should Gaelic culture be examined.

"We want the body to look at how the GAA and every aspect of Irish cultural identity - its language, music, dance - is funded, the amount of money it gets in comparison to ourselves, and the amount of air time they get on television and radio and in the papers," he added.

Sinn Fein and Alliance politicians warned against GAA games, or Gaelic culture in general, coming within the compass of the commission.

Dr Mowlam said, however, people should reserve judgment until she published her proposals today.