Search for new parades body member

The Government has launched a search for a new member of the Parades Commission following the House of Lords ruling that former Secretary of State Peter Hain's appointment of two Portadown Orangemen was unlawful.

Advertisements were placed in local papers as Secretary of State Shaun Woodward said he was relaunching the recruitment competition for a new commission member.

The Law Lords ruled in January that Mr Hain's appointment of Orangemen David Burrows and Don Mackay to the parades body was invalid as he had not sought representation from Catholic residents' groups.

Mr Mackay had already quit after it was revealed he listed DUP MP David Simpson and SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly as referees on his application for the post without seeking their permission.

He was replaced last year by Kelly Andrews who is joint leader of the Green Party in Northern Ireland.

Announcing the search for a replacement for Mr Burrows, Mr Woodwood said: "The job of the Parades Commission is extremely challenging and I would encourage anyone who has an interest in parading, and who believes that they can make a difference, to apply."

He added: "All of Northern Ireland will want to see another peaceful parading season this summer and this can only be possible by both the Parades Commission and communities working tirelessly to that end."

The new commissioner will be required from the end of May to the end of the year.

The post has a basic remuneration of £19,000 a year. 19th March 2008 News Letter