| Culzie | Date: Tuesday, 2012-07-03, 6:52 PM | Message # 1 |
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| Orange Order would welcome Republic in Commonwealth
Published on Tuesday 3 July 2012 12:28
A LEADING member of the Orange Order has delivered an historic speech to the Irish Senate in Dublin.
Drew Nelson, grand secretary of the Grand Lodge of Ireland told the Senate on Tuesday that the Republic of Ireland joining the Commonwealth would bring communities together.
“We believe strongly that the interest of our members in Northern Ireland is best served by remaining part of the United Kingdom and we would welcome the Republic of Ireland re-joining the Commonwealth which we believe would bring the two communities in Ireland closer together without compromising the ideals of either community,” he said.
Mr Nelson said the Loyal Orange Institution had two main motivations for accepting the offer to address the Senate.
“Firstly, as an all Island organisation, we see today’s invitation as a formal recognition of our place in Irish Society.
“For that we are very grateful. We regard this as a very significant step, which will help to integrate our members in the Republic of Ireland into mainstream Irish Civic Society
“Secondly, as an organisation, we want to contribute to the normalisation of relationships within these islands.
“We live in a world of change and whilst we are an organisation which places a high value on tradition we recognise that we also have to change.”
He also warned that unresolved parades could see further violence.
“This resistance to parades continues to have a corrosive effect on community relations in Northern Ireland and, I believe, the potential to again explode onto the headlines.
“It also deeply affects the attitude of our members.
“As an Institution we call for accommodation and tolerance not segregation.”
Mr Nelson highlighted concerns of Protestants living in the border regions of the Republic and fears over the funding of Protestant schools, but also praised the work of the Irish government.
His speech concluded: “I would like to say that the Loyal Orange Institution wishes to move forward together with the Irish Government.
“I want to put on record that we are committed to working positively with the Government, Local Councils, all other Statutory Agencies and appropriate non-governmental bodies to represent the concerns of our members.
“The Grand Master, the Deputy Grand Master and our four County Grand Masters in the Republic of Ireland are all present here today to show their support for that commitment.
“Mr. Speaker together let us resolve that no longer will the burden of history stand in the way of normalisation of relationships.”
The delegation from the Orange Order will also meet with the Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
Ulster Protestants consider themselves to be a separate nation. This nation they call Ulster
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