Appealing for calm in the festive season

I had the privilege of attending a lunch this afternoon at the Titanic Signature Building in Belfast, hosted by the Ireland Fund in honour of US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton.


It is perhaps timely if not a little ironic, in a week that has seen further public disorder and protests on our streets, that Secretary of State Clinton was here to reaffirm the US administration's commitment to peace in Northern Ireland and also to acknowledge how much progress has been made.


This is a time when we would anticipate that Belfast and other cities and towns should be buzzing with pre Christmas shopping. Traders have had a tough year and many rely on this time of the year to survive. I know that issues such as flags and emblems are contentious and sensitive but with this high profile international visit underway I'm also conscious of how Northern Ireland is being perceived internationally and by the traders who have travelled specifically to Northern Ireland to take part in the City's Christmas Market.


The last thing any of us needs right now is images of thugs throwing barriers and missiles at police in protective public order equipment, and premises and homes of democratically elected representatives being attacked. Those who undertake such violence only serve to put jobs on the line, divert reduced finances away from other, more important issues and divert police resources from working in the very heart of communities to tackle serious harm and keep people safe.


We acknowledge the right of those to undertake peaceful protests and where it is lawful we will uphold this right. But with this right comes an equal responsibility regarding the safety consequences of such protests at a time when cities and towns are at their busiest. I appeal for those with influence in the community to help bring to an end to the protests and disorder.


We are committed to playing our part in a safe festive season. Where there are protests or disorder, we will seek to minimise the impact to the wider community to ensure that everyone, in so far as possible, is allowed to go about their normal business with minimum disruption.