Parsley challenges Secretary of State on 'scourge of segregation'

1.55.21pm GMT Tue 8th Nov 2005

North Down Alliance Councillor Ian James Parsley challenged the Secretary of State to turn words into action and make the governance of Northern Ireland based on true integration and democracy rather than a tribal carve-up.

Speaking after a meeting with the Secretary of State at Bangor Town Hall, Cllr Parsley stated: "We can see from what has happened here in the past, and what is happening in France currently, that segregation is a social ill. The process of ending it must begin immediately.

"The Secretary of State, a noted anti-apartheid campaigner, agreed with me that it would be unacceptable for people to want to live in an all-white or an all-black neighbourhood. Why then are they given the right to live in an all-Protestant or an all-Catholic neighbourhood in Northern Ireland?

"The Secretary of State agreed with me that the current debate on education focuses on selection by academic ability. Why then has the Costello Report completely missed selection by religion?

"When you select your home, your school or your job, religion should have absolutely nothing to do with it. Artificial segregation by religion is a scourge, yet it was allowed to continue by the Executive and by successive direct-rule administrations with a sectarian hand-out here and a sectarian hand-out there.

"Following on from the 'Shared Future' document, which lay on the shelf for far too long, the Government promised three-year plans to tackle segregation by this autumn. I put it to the Secretary of State that it is now winter.

"He has listened well, but now he must act."

ENDS