The Minister was speaking at a Robert the Bruce family evening at Drumlough Orange Hall near Rathfriland where he praised the Orange Order’s efforts to increase understanding about the organisation and its 200 year history.
He said: “In recent years the Orange Order has become increasingly outward looking. It has widened its appeal by increasing knowledge and appreciation of the cultural diversity which it brings to Northern Ireland’s rich heritage.
“In recent years Northern Ireland has become a multi-cultural society where people of all backgrounds should be able to live side by side without fear or intimidation.
“That is why I am dismayed when I hear of an increasing number of attacks on Orange Halls or any other cultural facilities. Deliberate acts of criminal damage are usually as a result of ignorance and misunderstanding and it is this attitude that needs to change if Northern Ireland is to become a better place. These attacks are totally inconsistent with the spirit of a shared future which promotes tolerance, trust and respect for all cultures.”
The Minister went on to say that Orange Halls provide an essential service in many rural communities.
He said: “Halls all over Northern Ireland play an important role in the communities they serve. They are used for a variety of purposes from mother and toddlers groups through to sporting activities and cultural groups.
“It is my hope that as Northern Ireland continues to develop, it will be accompanied by a continuous increase in willingness to allow freedom of expression and enjoyment of the very diverse cultures our society contains.”
The Minister also added that he will be writing to Security Minister Paul Goggins to express his concerns about continuing attacks on Orange Halls.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
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