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03/05/2006
Orange Order to meet with Irish President's husband
Representatives form the Orange Order leadership are to travel to Dublin today to meet with the Irish President's husband Martin McAleese.
Grand Master Robert Saulters and Secretary Drew Nelson are to discuss the interests of members of the Orange Order in the Irish Republic and are also expected to embark on talks in an attempt to ease tensions in the run up to the marching season in the north.
Today's meeting follows the first ever talks held between the Loyal Orders and the nationalist SDLP.
Although the Orange Order remain intent on boycotting the Northern Ireland Parades Commission, which has the authority to rule on contentious parades, they have agreed to meet with residents groups in a bid to come to some kind of solution to the parades passing through flash-point areas.
Over the past number of years, the marching season has sparked off stand-off's and street violence due to controversial parades being prevented from passing through nationalist areas by Parades Commission rulings.
Although Dr McAleese does not have any official authority with the Irish Government, he has previously been influential during meetings with loyalist paramilitary leaders in Belfast, and it is understood that Irish civil servants will be present during the talks.
A spokesman for the Orange Order has revealed that today's meeting did not suggest any major breakthrough in the parades situation.
He said: "We have met with Irish Government officials in Belfast about three weeks ago to have discussions about parading issues and issues in the South.
"We met the SDLP yesterday and Peter Hain three times in the last month."
He concluded by saying that the meeting may reflect a change in tactics but it is not a part of a concerted campaign.
(EF/SP)
Grand Master Robert Saulters and Secretary Drew Nelson are to discuss the interests of members of the Orange Order in the Irish Republic and are also expected to embark on talks in an attempt to ease tensions in the run up to the marching season in the north.
Today's meeting follows the first ever talks held between the Loyal Orders and the nationalist SDLP.
Although the Orange Order remain intent on boycotting the Northern Ireland Parades Commission, which has the authority to rule on contentious parades, they have agreed to meet with residents groups in a bid to come to some kind of solution to the parades passing through flash-point areas.
Over the past number of years, the marching season has sparked off stand-off's and street violence due to controversial parades being prevented from passing through nationalist areas by Parades Commission rulings.
Although Dr McAleese does not have any official authority with the Irish Government, he has previously been influential during meetings with loyalist paramilitary leaders in Belfast, and it is understood that Irish civil servants will be present during the talks.
A spokesman for the Orange Order has revealed that today's meeting did not suggest any major breakthrough in the parades situation.
He said: "We have met with Irish Government officials in Belfast about three weeks ago to have discussions about parading issues and issues in the South.
"We met the SDLP yesterday and Peter Hain three times in the last month."
He concluded by saying that the meeting may reflect a change in tactics but it is not a part of a concerted campaign.
(EF/SP)
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24 June 2009
Ministers Square Up Over Parades Issue
In spite of working closely together on such issues as their joint condemnation of recent racist attacks, the First and Deputy First Ministers were this week at loggerheads over loyal order parades. First Minister Peter Robinson hit out at comments by his Executive colleague, the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
Ministers Square Up Over Parades Issue
In spite of working closely together on such issues as their joint condemnation of recent racist attacks, the First and Deputy First Ministers were this week at loggerheads over loyal order parades. First Minister Peter Robinson hit out at comments by his Executive colleague, the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
19 May 2006
Parades Commission appointments "unlawful"
The High Court has today overturned the appointment of a prominent Orangeman onto the Parades Commission. A High Court judge quashed the appointment of Portadown Orange Order member, David Burrow, who was given the position in November last year.
Parades Commission appointments "unlawful"
The High Court has today overturned the appointment of a prominent Orangeman onto the Parades Commission. A High Court judge quashed the appointment of Portadown Orange Order member, David Burrow, who was given the position in November last year.
03 August 2009
Parades Talks With Orange Order Sought
The SDLP has said it is prepared to sit down with the Orange Order to discuss conflicting views on the Parades Commission. SDLP MLAs claimed the abolition of the parades body would be 'a backward step'. However, according to the nationalist party, the commission, set up under terms of the Good Friday Agreement, has "lost its way".
Parades Talks With Orange Order Sought
The SDLP has said it is prepared to sit down with the Orange Order to discuss conflicting views on the Parades Commission. SDLP MLAs claimed the abolition of the parades body would be 'a backward step'. However, according to the nationalist party, the commission, set up under terms of the Good Friday Agreement, has "lost its way".
11 July 2002
SF to meet Parades Commission over Twelfth parades
A meeting is to take place between Sinn Fein and the Parades Commission over a number of controversial Orange Order parades that are to take place in north Belfast on July 12. A delegation from the party is to meet the commission on Thursday morning with regard to parades along the Springfield Road and Crumlin Road planned for Friday.
SF to meet Parades Commission over Twelfth parades
A meeting is to take place between Sinn Fein and the Parades Commission over a number of controversial Orange Order parades that are to take place in north Belfast on July 12. A delegation from the party is to meet the commission on Thursday morning with regard to parades along the Springfield Road and Crumlin Road planned for Friday.
27 June 2001
ORANGE ORDER URGED TO TALK TO RESIDENTS
FOLLOWING a major talks initiative on contentious parades in Londonderry between the protestant Royal Black Institution and the nationalist Bogside Residents Group, the Orange Order have come under increasing pressure to follow suit and enter into direct dialogue with representatives of nationalist residents.
ORANGE ORDER URGED TO TALK TO RESIDENTS
FOLLOWING a major talks initiative on contentious parades in Londonderry between the protestant Royal Black Institution and the nationalist Bogside Residents Group, the Orange Order have come under increasing pressure to follow suit and enter into direct dialogue with representatives of nationalist residents.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
