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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7989762.stm
The Chairman of the Northern Ireland Parades Commission, Roger Poole, is to step down.
Mr Poole has told Secretary of State Shaun Woodward that he will leave the job in the coming months.
His term of office was due to end last December but he and his fellow commissioners decided to stay on for a "further period".
But announcing his decision, Mr Poole said his role had been "exacting" and it was time to go.
"I have enjoyed my time as chairman immeasurably," he said.
"The present commission came into being in January 2006, directly following some of the most serious parades related rioting Northern Ireland had seen for decades.
"I believe very firmly that the commission has made a very significant contribution to stabilising the parading environment in the last three years.
"We supported and facilitated dialogue processes where possible and some remarkable progress was due in large part to the courage and commitment of residents groups, parading bodies and individuals as well as local representatives. "
Peaceful parading
He said the commission had "dedicated an enormous amount of time and energy" to resolving parades issues.
Mr Poole added that he would remain in place for as long as it takes to hand over to a replacement.
The Security Minister Paul Goggins thanked Mr Poole for his service.
"Roger Poole has made a major contribution to improving the parading situation across Northern Ireland and I would like to thank him for his tireless work over this period," he said.
"He was appointed Chairman of the Parades Commission at a difficult time and the fact under Roger's chairmanship Northern Ireland has enjoyed three of the most peaceful parading seasons speaks volumes for the leadership and fresh approach he has given to the Commission."
"The Northern Ireland Office will now be taking forward a process to replace him as Chairman of the Parades Commission as soon as is practicable."
The Parades Commission was set up in 1997 to make decisions on whether controversial parades should be restricted.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7989762.stm
Published: 2009/04/08 11:23:40 GMT
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7989916.stm
A development corporation is to be set up to look at what to do with the site of the former Maze prison.
It follows the decision of Sports Minister Gregory Campbell not to build a multi-sports stadium there.
Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness issued a joint statement, announcing a review into the future of the site.
In it they said they were committed to exploiting the 360-acre site to the full, particularly given the current economic climate.
In January, the sports minister said was he opting to explore alternatives with the soccer, rugby and GAA authorities instead of one multi-sports stadium at the Maze.
It was also announced that money would be given to Linfield Football Club and the Irish Football Association for an upgrade to Windsor Park so internationals can be played there until a permanent solution is found.
“ The proposed Maze stadium has divided political and sporting opinion like few others ”
Gareth Gordon, BBC News
"At a time of a deepening economic crisis the Maze/Long Kesh development, including the multi-sports stadium, had the potential to create between 8,000 and 10,000 jobs," said Sinn Fein Lagan Valley MLA Paul Butler."
"This has been squandered entirely due to power struggles, personal ambition and petty politics inside the DUP.
"It is now up to that party to justify this to the wider public in these difficult economic times."
BBC NI political correspondent Gareth Gordon said: "The proposed Maze stadium has divided political and sporting opinion like few others.
"In his paper to executive colleagues, Gregory Campbell said the plan did not enjoy sufficient political consensus, and he said a net loss to the economy of between £156m and £193m did not compensate for the non-monetary benefits which may flow from a shared stadium."
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7989916.stm
Published: 2009/04/08 12:18:45 GMT
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7989547.stm
(Poster's Note: According to the Sinn Fein web site, Gerry Adams was in Gaza at today at 5AM CDT)
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams will not be allowed to enter Gaza this week because he plans to meet members of Hamas, Israeli officials have said.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said Israel "would not help Adams meet with Hamas terror leaders."
Hamas, which rules Gaza, is listed as a terrorist organization by Israel, the US and EU.
A Sinn Fein spokesman said Mr Adams and his delegation planned to visit Gaza on Wednesday.
He added that: "We will meet with whoever wants to meet us."
Before Mr Adams set off for the Middle East Israeli officials said they would not meet him because he would not rule out meeting Palestinian militants.
Mr Adams said he intended to visit Gaza to witness damage caused by Israel's recent military offensive.
The Sinn Féin leader, who last visited the Middle East in 2006, said he regretted the Israeli government's refusal to meet him.
"As the leader of a party which was censored and demonised and whose members were killed, I see dialogue between all sides as key to building a successful peace process," he said.
"So I will meet with all sides and urge all sides to end all armed actions and to engage in meaningful dialogue.
"I believe there should be a complete cessation of all hostilities and freedom of movement for everyone."
Mr Adams said there were "similarities" between the Northern Ireland peace process and the Middle East, but "there are also significant differences".
"But it is clear that finding solutions will require leadership on both sides, and a willingness to take risks, initiatives, and compromise," he said.
"And it will need the international community, and particularly the USA, to play a very positive and active role."
In recent weeks several senior officials from the United Nations, as well as a US politicians have visited Gaza, entering through Israel. They did not meet with Hamas officials.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7989547.stm
Published: 2009/04/08 10:11:06 GMT
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http://saoirse32.blogsome.com/2009/04/08/p13112/
By Seamus McKinney
Irish News
06/04/09
TRUTH: The 10 republican hunger strikers – pictured on the first day of each of their individual protests at the Maze Prison – and the dates on which they died PICTURE: Alan Lewis/Photopress
The first IRA hunger striker to speak about a possible deal which could have saved the lives of five or possibly six of his colleagues has called for the full facts of the initiative to be made public.
Gerard Hodgkins, who spent 20 days on hunger strike in 1981, has demanded that Sinn Fein and others make public all records relating to the era.
He was speaking after a number of documents, released under the Freedom of Information Act, appeared to confirm details of a deal offered to the IRA in the days before Joe McDonnell died on July 8 1981.
Last year, charges of abduction from 1990 against Mr Hodgkins and former Sinn Fein director of publicity Danny Morrison were quashed. Mr Morrison has previously played down the significance of any proposed deal.
Extracts from two letters from Downing Street to the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) dated July 17 and 18 1981 have been made public as well as an undated telegram from the NIO to the British cabinet office.
In 2005, former prisoner Richard O’Rawe, who acted as publicity officer for the hunger strikers at the time, published an account of a deal sanctioned by then prime minister Margaret Thatcher.
The deal indicated agreement over three and possibly four of the prisoners’ five demands on clothes, association, remission and possibly work.
Claims by Mr O’Rawe that the deal was rejected by the outside IRA leadership because they wished to capitalise on political gains at the time were rejected by Mr Morrison and those managing the Hunger Strike from the outside.
But an extract from the letter from Downing Street to the NIO on July 8 1981 indicates a deal was offered but initially rejected by the IRA because of its tone rather than its content.
The letter said that the secretary of state, Humphrey Atkins, told Mrs Thatcher the terms were offered to the Provisionals.
“Their response indicated that they did not regard it as satisfactory and that they wanted a good deal more. That appeared to mark the end of this development and we made this clear to the PIRA during the afternoon.
“This had produced a very rapid reaction which suggested that it was not the content of the message which they had objected to but only its tone,” the letter stated.
In a letter dated July 18 1981 (following the death of hunger striker Martin Hurson on July 13), it was revealed that Mrs Thatcher bowed to pressure from Humphrey Atkins not to send an official to meet the hunger strikers. Mr Atkins was concerned that if an official outlined the British position to the prisoners his meeting would become public.
The IRSP, the political wing of the INLA whose hunger strikers Kevin Lynch and Michael Devine died after the deal was offered, said the INLA’s army council in 1981 was not aware of the deal.
IRSP spokesman William Gallagher said: “Both the then INLA army council and the INLA prisoners’ OC have stated to the IRSP that if they had been made aware of the content of these developments at the time they would have ordered the INLA prisoners to end their hunger strike.”
Michael Devine jnr, whose father – also Michael – was the last hunger sriker to die, said the families deserved to be told the truth about what happened.
“Why were the families or the prisoners themselves never told about the nature and content of these contacts?
“I would appeal to Sinn Fein and the British government, given their public positions on truth and reconciliation, to tell us the truth and give us closure,” he said.
Mr Hodgkins, the first IRA hunger striker to speak out about the deal, said the documents supported the claims of a deal first made by Mr O’Rawe.
“When it first came out [in 2005] I didn’t believe it. I didn’t want to believe it. But I followed the debate and do now,” he said.
Mr Hodgkins said he believed the group which was working with the hunger strikers – and which included Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams – may have allowed the protest to continue for political gain.
If this was the case, Mr Hodgkins said he understood why they did so but would not have agreed.
He said the Sinn Fein leadership should release all information about the Hunger Strike.
“This has become a festering sore in the republican family,” he said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7989676.stm
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams urged Israelis and Palestinians to hold direct talks as he visited Gaza on Wednesday. Israeli officials are unhappy about Mr Adams' visit as he has not ruled out meeting officials from Hamas. Hamas, which rules Gaza, is listed as a terrorist organization by Israel, the US and EU.
Mr Adams toured parts of northern Gaza devastated by war that Israel waged in the Palestinian territory this year.
He said: "The obligation is that what happened here doesn't happen again,"
"And that means there needs to be negotiations and that means that the leadership in Israel and the leadership in the Palestinian territories need to be involved in a direct dialogue.
"The international community, particularly the US, need to be actively encouraging that."
Mr Adams met John Ging, director of operations in Gaza for the UN Refugee and Works Agency, which supports Palestinian refugees.
He also visited an ice cream factory which was destroyed during the war and spoke with its owner.
Before Mr Adams set off for the Middle East Israeli officials said they would not meet him because he would not rule out meeting Palestinian militants.
They had threatened not to allow him to enter Gaza.
The Sinn Féin leader, who last visited the Middle East in 2006, said he regretted the Israeli government's refusal to meet him.
"As the leader of a party which was censored and demonised and whose members were killed, I see dialogue between all sides as key to building a successful peace process," he said.
"So I will meet with all sides and urge all sides to end all armed actions and to engage in meaningful dialogue.
"I believe there should be a complete cessation of all hostilities and freedom of movement for everyone."
Mr Adams said there were "similarities" between the Northern Ireland peace process and the Middle East, but "there are also significant differences".
"But it is clear that finding solutions will require leadership on both sides, and a willingness to take risks, initiatives, and compromise," he said.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7989676.stm
Published: 2009/04/08 10:55:31 GMT
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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/kate-carroll-the-widow-who-doesnrsquot-hate-but-doesnrsquot-forgive-14261947.html
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Writing exclusively for the Belfast Telegraph Kate Carroll, whose PSNI husband Stephen was shot dead last month, calls on the dissident republicans who murdered him to halt their campaign of violence
To me war means conflict between nations, states or groups where soldiers face each other in combat, not hiding away and shooting at the first uniformed person they see. In armed combat the opposite side gets the chance to shoot back in defence of themselves, but, unfortunately, not the police in this country.
Why is the police force being targeted as the enemy?
Every country, city and town needs a police force to uphold the law otherwise there would be absolute mayhem.
As for our human rights! Please tell me where my husband’s human rights were.
He is now being held in a coffin (not his choice) six foot underground after being shot in cold blood without a chance to defend himself as soldiers of war should be able to.
Being brought up by Irish grandparents in Kildare, he had as much right to be in this country as the perpetrators who carried out his brutal and untimely murder.
He was not afforded any human rights while carrying out his duty helping a distressed member of the public.
The majority of people on this island of Ireland do not want these nonsensical acts of violence, as I have discovered over these past three weeks by reading the letters and cards of support and abhorrence from loyalists and republicans as well as heads of the different churches.
I personally cannot comprehend why these nonentities strive to persecute and destroy the lives of hard working people who want only to support their families.
I, as a simple, hard-working, down to earth widow, mother and grandmother, who has lost a fantastic husband and father, would like to ask them how they would feel if someone snatched away the love of their life.
I can only say that it feels like my heart has been ripped from my chest and my life will never be the same again. Did they ever love someone enough to know the dreadful hurt our families and I have to go through?
I would ask them to channel their energy in other, positive, ways and leave our island in the peace that the majority of the people of Ireland want. Please leave the past where it belongs, firmly in the past. Live for the future, one day at a time.
Too many lives have been taken away over a land that is only a small part of a wider universe and is God given.
Why is it that some people don’t realise before it comes too late, that we are on this earth but a short time and that we should be given the freedom to live our lives in peace and harmony?
We each enter this world in the same way and we exit it in the same way, and when that day dawns we are only allotted a small plot of ground in the land that has been responsible for the loss of so many innocent lives.
All I ask as a mother and a grandmother is that the people in their towns and cities stand shoulder to shoulder in support of the peace we so deserve, be proud of who you are and what you stand for, as we did in our town of Banbridge.
I am sincerely proud of and thankful to the fine people of Banbridge who came out in support of us and would like to thank each and every one of them for their kind words of support and their prayers.
To the rest of Ireland from Donegal to Cork I would convey my heartfelt thanks for your kind acts or words which have helped me through this dreadful time.
I thank God each day for the support of my two families and my many friends and neighbours, who have been absolutely |amazing.
To the nonentities who carried out the murders of my fine husband and two young soldiers I would say to you, please search your hearts and minds and walk a mile in the shoes of the people you have left behind to mourn the loss of their loved ones. Believe me it’s not an easy thing to do; you will only ever understand that heartbreaking pain when it comes knocking on your door.
You many have taken away a wonderful man from us, but the love and respect we had for him will never ever be taken away. I have no regrets and my conscience is clear.
Please, please, search your heart and conscience and stop this nonsensical behaviour, forget the deep hatred you possess, live your young lives without the profound bitterness you carry in your hearts and just remember your life on this earth is not a rehearsal; you only ever get one chance at it, so my advice to you is to use it |wisely.
You’ll be old before you know it, living with untold regrets, so please, please reconsider what you are doing, the harm and carnage you are leaving behind.
Let the next generations of younger people live in a peaceful country, a country loved by other nations because the people are, and I quote, “so warm and |friendly”. Why then can’t we apply that warmth to each other?
I don’t hate you, but I couldn’t forgive you now. That’s up to God.
I do feel for you, your mindset is so wrong.
Get a job, work hard and get so tired your mind isn’t consumed with unhealthy thoughts (as I was) and move forward like the majority of fine people on our island.
May God forgive you!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7988971.stm
Ian Paisley Jnr is to appeal against a High Court order for him to identify the prison officer who told him about files destroyed by the Prison Service.
A judge last week said the information was key for the Billy Wright Inquiry to determine if prison authorities had facilitated the LVF leader's murder.
Mr Paisley was told failure to comply with the order by 20 April could see him face going to jail.
The DUP assembly member has announced he will appeal against that ruling.
The Billy Wright Inquiry had brought the matter to the High Court after Mr Paisley refused to reveal the identity of the officer.
Mr Paisley said the officer told him documents were destroyed after the loyalist's murder in 1997.
He said last week that he would protect his source and go to jail rather than name him.
In June 2007, Mr Paisley wrote to Billy Wright's father with information that the NI Prison Service had employed people to destroy about 5,600 files shortly after his son was shot at the Maze Prison in December 1997.
Mr Paisley had said he was told of an alleged policy within the prison service to destroy a large number of files as an emergency due to data protection legislation.
He said this information, which was provided by a "senior prison officer", claimed that the decision to destroy the files was "taken at the top".
In last Friday's ruling, Mr Justice Gillen said that although it was important for elected representatives to be able to protect the confidentiality of a source, the information played a central part in enabling the inquiry to determine whether or not the prison authorities had facilitated Mr Wright's death.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7988971.stm
Published: 2009/04/08 05:49:48 GMT
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7989281.stm
Sinn Fein has hit back at Conservative claims it is "completely unacceptable" for their five MPs to claim expenses on two London flats.
It emerged last week that Sinn Fein MPs, who do not take their seats at Westminster, have claimed more than £400,000 in allowances.
The party says it has not broken any rules and its MPs use the flats.
Sinn Fein MPs do not take a salary but have been entitled to allowances since a Commons vote in 2001.
The move was not part of the Good Friday agreement, but the then foreign secretary Robin Cook said: "We are more likely to secure further decommissioning if we demonstrate that we are willing to maintain the momentum on our side."
In the last financial year, Sinn Fein's five MPs Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness, Pat Doherty, Michelle Gildernew, and Conor Murphy each claimed £21,000 in Additional Cost Allowances - just short of the maximum.
'Democratic entitlements'
Since the figures were first published in 2001/02, the Sinn Fein MPs, who do not take their seats at Westminster as that would involve swearing allegiance to the Queen, have received a total of £437,405 in the taxpayer funded allowance.
A Sinn Fein spokesman said: "Sinn Fein MPs do not receive a salary from Westminster, nor do they employ any family members. Sinn Fein makes no apology for refusing to sit in the British House of Commons.
"We also make no apology for ensuring that people who vote for Sinn Fein get the same democratic entitlements as everyone else."
But the payments were strongly condemned by senior Conservatives.
Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Owen Paterson told The Daily Mail: "It is completely unacceptable for Sinn Fein representatives, who won't even sit in Parliament, to claim hundreds of thousands at the taxpayers' expense.
"That is why the Conservatives have consistently opposed members who refuse to take their seats receiving the accommodation allowance."
Figures released last week show North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds had the 13th highest expenses bill, claiming a total of £171,609 towards travel, staffing and office running costs.
His DUP colleague, Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson spent £161,095, with the South Antrim MP Willie McCrea spending £159,852.
David Simpson, the DUP MP for Upper Bann, spent £158,903 with his party colleague Sammy Wilson the MP for East Antrim spending £156,932.
The office, travel and staffing costs of Ian Paisley, the North Antrim MP, totalled £139,565.
SDLP MPs Eddie McGrady and Alasdair McDonnell both accrued expenses of £156,000.
Extra trips
Their party leader, Mark Durkan the Foyle MP spent, £149,364 and his constituency neighbour Gregory Campbell of the DUP spent a total of £136, 213.
The Ulster Unionists sole Westminster representative Lady Sylvia Hermon spent £134,004.
The lowest spenders amongst Northern Ireland MPs were Peter and Iris Robinson. The MP for East Belfast spent £128,000 and his wife, the MP for Strangford, accrued travel staffing and office costs of £125,000.
A DUP spokesman said Mr Dodds regularly attended Westminster and as a result his expenses would be higher than others.
The spokesman added that during this time the North Belfast MP was also the party's chief whip at Westminster which meant he had to make extra trips to London.
The Committee on Standards in Public Life will start a review into MPs' allowances as soon as possible amid public anger at the amount claimed by MPs and ministers.
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Published: 2009/04/08 08:28:58 GMT
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http://www.ballymoneytimes.co.uk/news/Rasharkin-trouble-probed-by-PSNI.5153740.jp
Published Date: 08 April 2009
THE PSNI is appealing for information following a disturbance in Rasharkin on Wednesday April 1 amid claims about police handling of the situation from Sinn Fein MLA Daithí McKay who is from the village and is also a member of the Policing Board.
Mr McKay alleged there have been incidents when sectarian abuse has been directed at local people from the occupants of cars going through the village.
But Ballymoney Borough Council's DUP mayor, Councillor John Finlay, said there had been several
reports of cars belonging to Protestants being struck by stones launched with force by people carrying hurling sticks.
It is understood several of the vehicles belonged to Protestants going through Rasharkin on their way home from work at a factory near Ballymena.
Last Wednesday after at least one car was struck by a stone and the PSNI's Tactical Support Group - known to most as 'riot police' - came into the village.
Ballymoney police commander, Chief Inspector David Anderson, told the Times a number of youths were firing stones and a car was struck and had a window damaged.
A PSNI press spokesman also told us: "We can confirm that police responded to reports of public disorder in Rasharkin around 5.20pm on Wednesday April 1. A group of approximately 15 youths brandishing hurling sticks had gathered at Main Street. They dispersed on the arrival of police.
"A car travelling through the village at the same time was also damaged. A Tactical Support Group patrol which was called to the area to assist local officers and to help prevent further damage to property left a short time later and no further incidents occurred.
"Witnesses to the disturbance are asked to contact police in Ballymoney on 08456008000 or phone the Crimestoppers charity confidential line on 0800555111," said the PSNI press spokesman.
In a statement, Daithí McKay "slammed the behaviour of members of the PSNI in Rasharkin".
He said: "The police deployed a Tactical Support Group (TSG) in response to a minor incident in the village and the behaviour of the unit has set back policing within this community significantly."
Mr McKay added: "Over the last number of days a number of cars have drove through Rasharkin and the occupants have hurled sectarian abuse at local people.
"This happened again last night and in the wake of this a PSNI TSG unit came out in riot gear, deployed police dogs and long-arms.
"I have raised this over-the-top operation with the Assistant Chief Constable at the Policing Board and we will continue to highlight the behaviour of TSG units at this level until their attitude and behaviour changes significantly.
"I am urging local people to lodge complaints with the police to ensure that those who are coming into this village and hurling sectarian abuse are brought in for questioning."
The Times asked the PSNI for a response to Mr McKay's comments but at the time of going to press there was no reply.
Meanwhile, Mr McKay says the vast majority of people want sectarian incidents to stop.
He said lots of work has been ongoing on all sides of the community to reduce tensions in the Rasharkin area and that this must continue.
Mr McKay added: "A lot of work is taking place on all sides of the community in Rasharkin to ensure that all sectarian incidents, regardless of where they come from, come to an end. That work is to be commended and I would urge all those involved in this to continue with their efforts.
"All sectarian incidents in the village are to be condemned and are condemned by the overwhelming majority of people living here. No-one here wants the name of the village tarnished in any way."
Councillor John Finlay told the Times: "I am absolutely appalled at the incidents which took place in Rasharkin on Wednesday when people returning form their work had their cars attacked by youths with hurling sticks
"At least one car was damaged while many cars were targeted. I received a phone call about 5.30pm and I then contacted the police who by this stage had received six calls, mine being the seventh.
"I know that statements have been given to the police and I hope these will lead to those responsible being brought before the courts.
"The tension has been ongoing in Rasharkin as there seems to be ongoing attacks on Protestant homes and the Protestant people by Republicans.
"Therefore I am absolutely appalled that Councillor McKay should verbally attack the police for being in Rasharkin. As a Policing Board member he should be giving his full support to the PSNI in the apprehension of those responsible for these attacks.
"Councillor McKay needs to make up his mind - either he supports policing and justice or he doesn't. He can't have it both ways.
"He needs to do more work to make sure the Protestants in Rasharkin don't feel intimidated as they do at the minute," said Councillor Finlay.
DUP councillor Ian Stevenson said: "It is sad that this is happening in this day and age and that there are people in the Rasharkin community who don't want a Protestant about the place - their own neighbours.
"The hatred is stemming from Sinn Fein stirring up tensions around parades in the village where no problem existed. It is time for Sinn Fein leaders and for people with influence in the Catholic Church and community to come out clearly and say this is unacceptable.
"Protestants are being identified for their religion and being made to feel unwelcome. It is similar to the time when people were being singled out for their religion prior to World War Two and should not be acceptable.
"What was particularly annoying to me was that the youths who were involved were backed up by more adult members of the Rasharkin community," said Councillor Stevenson.
Meanwhile, on Monday a police spokesman said their investigations are ongoing a report will be submitted to the Public Prosecution Service for consideration.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7989370.stm
Belfast city centre will, for the first time in a generation, open for business during the Twelfth of July parade.
Members of the Orange Order, city centre management and police have agreed that shops will open after the parade passes through the city.
The businesses will then close just before the parade returns.
Cllr William Humphrey said the decision would "enhance the family-friendly atmosphere". The Twelfth parades will take place on Monday 13 July this year.
The parades mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in which William of Orange defeated King James.
Organisers say more than 250,000 people either take part in, or watch, the parade.
Mr Humphrey, who is deputy chairman of Orangefest, the Orange Order initiative to promote the parades as an all-inclusive carnival, said it was a "major development which we believe will be in everyone's interests".
"Last year, in conjunction with the police, there was a clampdown on street drinking and this added to the family friendly atmosphere," he said.
"We will be working closely with the police again this year and we would ask all supporters and visitors to work with us, and the police, to make the Belfast Twelfth a very special and enjoyable day for everyone."
Traditionally, shops would close on the day of the Twelfth parades.
In recent years, businesses have said they want to cash in on the tourist dividend. Visitors are more comfortable travelling to Northern Ireland in July during the 'marching season', compared to ten years ago when few would come because of trouble associated with some controversial Orange parades.
'Robust approach'
Andrew Irvine, of Belfast City Centre Management, said a key element of its marketing campaign is to "leverage the benefit of the extensive offer Belfast has in terms of events and festivals".
"The business community is therefore pleased to step up to the plate and play its part in helping to build Belfast's largest visitor number event into a festival with international appeal," he said.
The police said they will continue to take a "robust approach" to on-street drinking.
District commander for south and east Belfast, Chief Superintendent Brian Maguire, called on everyone attending the parade to exercise responsibility.
"This is the first year the shops are opening and whilst we will plan for this we need people to play their part to make this a successful day for everyone.
"Last year we worked very closely with the Orange Order, and other parade organisers, as well as other partner organisations to tackle on-street and underage drinking. In Belfast alone 3,000 units of alcohol were seized on the Twelfth.
"We will be taking a robust approach again this year - but would appeal to people - think before you drink."
In 2008, Asda and Tesco and the Rushmere centre in Craigavon all kept stores open.
"As negative connotations of this holiday lessen, it is now anticipated that more tourists will be attracted into the major cities and towns of Northern Ireland," said an Asda statement at the time.
"We hope that by remaining open we will also provide a welcome service for these visitors."
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Published: 2009/04/08 10:02:59 GMT
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7989209.stm
Thousands of people are expected to attend a rally Belfast later in support of more than 200 sacked workers at the Visteon car components plant.
Politicians, trade unionists, family members and supporters are to take part.
They will parade from Andersonstown to the factory, also in west Belfast.
A number of former Visteon employees have refused to leave the plant until a row over redundancy packages and pensions is resolved.
http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-ofmdfm-080409-mcguinness-and-ritchie
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA, and Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA, today unveiled the winning design for the new foot and cycle bridge over the river Foyle.
The bridge will be the biggest single regeneration project in Derry City since the Foyle Bridge over thirty years ago.
The project has been taken forward by Ilex Urban Regeneration Company as part of their Regeneration Plan for the city and will receive £13.3million in funding from the European PEACE III Programme.
Speaking at the event to mark the unveiling, Martin McGuinness said: “This bridge can be a significant catalyst for change. It will transform our beautiful city and help transform the local community in the widest sense.
“Spanning 235 metres from bank to bank not only will it open up the Ebrington site it will unite the city physically, symbolically and emotionally.”
Margaret Ritchie, who is responsible for urban regeneration said: “This is a momentous day for Derry. The bridge will be a powerful lasting symbol of the moment a divided people started to reach out to each other.
“My Department is at the forefront of regeneration in Northern Ireland and this Peace Bridge is another example of how physical regeneration can deliver a shared future that everyone can sign up for.”
Updated: 10/4/2009
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