Garvaghy Road Residents Meet Robinson

First Minister Peter Robinson held separate talks with the Loyal Orange Order and Garvaghy Road residents today, over the contentious Drumcree march.

Mr Robinson (pictured) said he believed both sides could meet together soon.

"I think both of them are prepared to sit down with the other," said the First Minister. There are issues in relation to the agenda which I believe can be sorted out."

He said it was likely the discussions would be chaired by the Parades Commission's Rena Shepherd.

On Sunday Portadown Orangemen were refused permission to walk the traditional route past a nationalist area for the twelfth successive year.

Garvaghy representative Breandan Mac Cionnaith described today's talks as "cordial", and said Mr Robinson appeared "open-minded".

He said the DUP leader demonstrated he "wasn't going to act as a proxy on behalf of the Orange Order or as a mediator".

The meetings were welcomed by Portadown LOL No 1 District Master Darryl Hewitt, who led the Orange delegation.

He said it was significant that Mr Mac Cionnaith had agreed to meet Mr Robinson at Stormont Castle.

Mr Hewitt called on the nationalist spokesperson and other residents to hold face-to-face talks with Lodge members.

"We're taking it one step at a time and we simply want face-to-face talks with Brendan McKenna and company, without preconditions," he said.

"Dialogue is the only way to resolve this issue and talks with the First Minister must be a good next step. I met with the new NI Parades Commission chairman (Rena Shepherd) at Drumcree on Sunday and she too agrees that dialogue is essential."

However, Mr Mac Cionnaith said his group had met Mr Robinson in his capacity as Leader of the Democratic Unionists.

"The Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness must sanction such talks with the First Minister and that hasn't been done. But I have to say it's refreshing that the DUP leader has, for the first time, asked to meet with us," he said.

Speaking recently, Mr Robinson said: "I am certain we can find a way through this issue and will do all I can to progress it to a consensual conclusion.

"I would be equally content if the parties agreed on some other approach or arrangement that might reach an outcome that everyone in Portadown wishes to see."

But Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition chair Joe Duffy has described the issue as a "dead duck", insisting it was resolved in 1998.

Orangemen last paraded along the nationalist road in 1997, the procession has since been officially banned.

(PR/JM)