13/07/2001

AGREEMENT POSSIBLE IF ORDER TALK: HOLLAND

THE Head of the Northern Ireland Parades Commission has said he believes Portadown Orangemen will eventually walk down the Garvaghy Road.

In a radio interview following the ban of the Orange Order in walking down the Garvaghy Road, Tony Holland said he believed the Order would eventually talk to his commission and the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition.

He added: “I believe it will happen sooner rather than later. I also believe that as soon as it does happen, and we have engagement with us and engagement with the residents, as I believe has happened in Derry between the Royal Black Preceptory, the Bogside Residents group and the City Centre Initiative, you immediately have a change of perception.”

Mr Holland said that an understanding between both sides in the Portadown dispute, could also lead to a solution of the parades issue. (MB)S

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