SINN Fein has accused Secretary of State Shaun Woodward of "blatant sectarianism" after it emerged that GAA halls are to be excluded from a scheme aimed at compensating community halls damaged in sectarian attacks.Sinn Fein Assembly member Barry McElduff hit out after Woodward announced that he was relaxing legislation to make it easier for community halls damaged in sectarian attacks to receive government compensation.The relaxation of the compensation guidelines is seen by critics as a direct result of a six-year lobbying campaign by the Orange Order.However defending the relaxation of compensation legislation, Woodward said, "I share the concern which has been expressed by all political parties. I believe that we all have a responsibility to protect community halls from this kind of wanton vandalism."It is very important that the insurance industry continue to do everything possible to help, but it now seems appropriate for the government to step in and help those organizations which are being victimized by criminals."The Orange Order welcomed the move, which they said would make it easier for Orange halls to claim compensation for damage to property.However, news that GAA halls which have been damaged in sectarian attacks will not be included in the scheme has angered Nationalists.The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) claimed the fact that GAA halls are sporting premises, which in some cases included licensed bars, meant they were not eligible to be included in the scheme.However, it said that premises such as Ancient Order of Hibernian and scout halls would be included in the scheme.Accusing Woodward of "blatant sectarianism," McElduff said, "In the course of recent years there has been an unwelcome upsurge in attacks on both Orange halls, GAA halls and other community facilities."(Police) figures indicate that around half of the attacks on Orange halls are sectarian. All of these attacks need to be condemned."However the decision of the NIO to bring in a scheme which is designed to deliberately exclude GAA premises from being compensated after any attack is unacceptable."Accusing the NIO of hiding behind claims that the compensation scheme was designed to help "community" halls, McElduff added, "This scheme is not about community halls as the NIO would have us believe."It is about compensating the Orange Order. The fact that the announcement came after a meeting with senior Orangemen says it all."McElduff said he would now be seeking a meeting with Woodward to demand that GAA halls be included in the compensation scheme.