Short Life Working Group on Facilitating Peaceful Assemblies: report

Appendix 4

Statutory Functions/Duties Of The Northern Ireland Parades Commission as set out in Section 2 of the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998

"(1) It shall be the duty of the Commission –

a) to promote greater understanding by the general public of issues concerning public processions;

b) to promote and facilitate mediation as a means of resolving disputes concerning public processions;

c) to keep itself generally informed as to the conduct of public processions and protest meetings;

d) to keep under review, and make such recommendations as it thinks fit to the Secretary of State concerning, the operation of this Act.

(2) The Commission may in accordance with the following provisions of this Act –

a) facilitate mediation between parties to particular disputes concerning proposed public processions and take such other steps as appear to the Commission to be appropriate for resolving such disputes;

b) issue determinations in respect of particular proposed public processions and protest meetings.

(3) For the purposes of its functions under this section, the Commission may, with the approval of the Secretary of State –

a) provide financial or other assistance to any person or body on such terms and conditions as the Commission may determine;

b) commission research."