Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Press Releases

16 September 2009

Duncan Morrow responds to Hugh Orde's statement on Cohesion, Sharing and Integration.

Duncan Morrow, Chief Executive of the Community Relations Council, says:

“Hugh Orde has underlined the central importance of a coherent and credible strategy for tackling sectarian and racial hatred. The Community Relations Council welcomed the commitment in the Programme for Government to build a ‘Better and Shared Future’ and has awaited the promised Cohesion, Sharing and Integration Strategy which would demonstrate how a shared and equal society was to be delivered. Without a policy led from the top to address division in all aspects of our society we will remain divided and suspicious. The opportunity provided by the peace process was that it would enable us to tackle our underlying issues head on. In a society which has made coming out of conflict its international calling card, the failure to agree policy to ensure a shared and better future has become embarrassing and potentially dangerous.”

ENDS

For further information contact

Ray Mullan

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