Dialogue between marchers and local communities is the best guarantor of peace, the Parades Commission has said. Releasing its latest report and recommendations, commission chairman Roger Poole said he firmly believed that last summer's peaceful marching season was due to people from "across the divide" who had "worked tirelessly".
Mr Poole added yesterday that he could foresee a time, if no parade rulings were issued for some years, when the commission would be wound up. This year's report, Parading in a Peaceful Northern Ireland, includes 10 recommendations aimed at improving the manner in which contested parades are dealt with. The commission is charged with ruling on contentious marches and counter-protests. Its decisions are enforced by the PSNI.
Last summer was the first in more than 30 years during which the British army was not deployed on the streets of Belfast to support the policing of disputed marches.
Some 170 rulings were issued last year, but more than 50 dealt exclusively with Drumcree, where the Portadown lodge applies to march along Garvaghy Road every weekend in the year and is refused.
The commission's recommendations, which follow open consultation, suggest a longer notification period for a parade and the exemption of certain types of processions, such as vintage car rallies.
Significantly, the commission is also suggesting a review of its application forms "to ensure their burden on the public is minimal and only information which is required is actually sought".
Other recommendations refer to the possibility of allowing those who dispute commission rulings to enter into consultation directly. It also promises to work harder to add greater clarity to its determinations and its decision-making process.
The commission is committed to working with various groups to devise a code of conduct.