The loyal orders have called for the Social
Development Minister Margaret Ritchie to withdraw remarks
she reportedly made at the weekend.
In the Irish News on Monday, November 17, Ms
Ritchie is quoted as saying at a GAA function:
"While the loyal orders have some progressive people
around who wish to move them forward to a better place, they
remain, unlike the GAA sectional and sectarian and deeply
divisive in our community."
Ms Ritchie is quoted as condemning attacks on
Orange Halls but saying there is no equivalence between the
loyal orders and the GAA.
The loyal orders - The Loyal Orange Institution,
The Royal Black Institution, The Independent Orange Institution,
The Royal Arch Purple Chapter and the Apprentice Boys of Derry
- said:
"If quoted accurately, these remarks are offensive to
our members and must be withdrawn immediately. We feel that
the timing and occasion of these remarks could in the minds
of some people legitimise the attacks on our property.
"The remarks were made on Saturday night,
one day after yet another arson attack on an Orange Hall in
Tyrone. Ms Ritchie's remarks cause us grave concern and we
feel betrayed by them. Ironically within a few hours of Ms
Ritchie expressing her deep concern that people were drawing
an equivalence about attacks on Orange Halls and GAA clubhouses,
there was yet another attack on the premises of a loyal order
in Londonderry.
"The loyal orders are unequivocal in their
condemnation of attacks on all halls in the community. It
ill behoves the Social Development Minister to make such a
difference in the organisations which are suffering these
attacks.
"She is also out of step with her party
colleague, the Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone who has totally
condemned Friday's attack near Pomeroy and expressed his support
directly to members of the loyal orders.
"Ms Ritchie is photographed at the function beside the
Republic of Ireland's Culture Minister Eamon O'Cuiv. He has
spoken about the importance of preserving the Orange culture
and made a grant of £100,000 to assist in the development
of Orange Halls in border counties.
"It should also be remembered that the Republic Ireland's
Government has spent £30M Euro on the Boyne Battlefield
site, scene of King William's victory which is celebrated
each year by the loyal orders.
"We ask Ms Ritchie to withdraw these remarks as a matter
or urgency.
"The loyal orders want to play their part in moving society
forward. Ms Ritchie is clearly not prepared to move forward
like so many other people in the community."
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