The Stormont estate will host the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland's Covenant centenary parade later this year. It is understood to be the first time in living memory that the estate will have hosted a formal Orange event. The parade, to commemorate the covenant which opposed Home Rule in Ireland, will involve a march from Belfast city centre to a rally at Stormont. Approval for the Grand Orange Lodge to use the estate has been given by the Finance Minister Sammy Wilson. The centenary committee plan to have the speaker's platform next to Sir Edward Carson's statue in front of parliament buildings, home of the Northern Ireland Assembly. In a statement, the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) said that permission had been granted "subject to detailed arrangements and relevant paperwork in relation to the event being agreed with the department's Estate Management Unit and other relevant authorities". MLA David McNarry, who is a member of the centenary committee, said that holding the event at Stormont was a historic development. The Orange Order had been negotiating with Belfast City Council to use one of the council's parks for the centenary event. However, they have now withdrawn their application to the council after receiving permission to hold the event on the Stormont estate. The Ulster Covenant formed part of the unionist campaign against British government proposals to introduce Home Rule in Ireland. In total, 237,368 men signed the covenant at Belfast City Hall, while 234,046 women signed a parallel declaration of their opposition to Home Rule. Half a million said NO They did it anyway EPIC Fail
Imagine hating democracy so much that you would resort to terrorism against the state they profess to love. These extremists should be consigned to thee history books not celebrated in front of a statue of the terrorist in chief.
