Ulster Unionist Policing Board Member, Ross Hussey MLA has expressed concern at the figures gained by the Northern Ireland Policing Board on the cost of policing parades.
The West Tyrone Assembly Member commented;
"It is of obvious concern that £5.7million was required to police parades in Northern Ireland between April and August of this year. At time when the policing budget is already stretched to near breaking point, we simply cannot afford to bear the burden of this of un-necessary public disorder.'
"The vast majority of parades in Northern Ireland pass off peacefully, with only a very small percentage of those considered to be contentious. We need to find an adequate balance between the right to celebrate cultural heritage and the right to protest. Looking at today's figures this has clearly not yet happened.'
"This is another example of how the current Parades Commission is not working effectively. We urgently need to find an alternative to ensure we do not have another summer costly, un-necessary policing operations. At a time when the PSNI is facing a growing threat from dissident Republicans, it is imperative that the Chief Constable has all the resources he requires at his disposal.'
