Members of the Orange Order have met the DUP to discuss the importance of the parades issue as an integral part of an overall political settlement.
The Orange Order delegation consisted of members of the Grand Lodge Parades Advisory Committee led by the Grand Master, Robert Saulters, the Grand Secretary, Drew Nelson and the Grand Treasurer, Mervyn Bishop.
The DUP was represented by the party leader Dr. Ian Paisley, Nigel Dodds M.P. and Ian Paisley jnr. MLA.
A spokesman for the Orange Order said the meeting had been very constructive.
“Our members were keen to hear about the talks at St. Andrews,” he said.
“We also took the opportunity to express our concerns about parading. The government announcement that they are to carry out a review of parading is a first step but we are still concerned about the Parades Commission and its negative role in the community. Petty restrictions being placed on parades have unnecessarily raised tension in a number of areas across the province in 2006.
“We cannot go into the New Year with the Parades Commission operating as it does at the moment.
“We are relying on the Unionist parties to protect the cultural and civil liberties of the Protestant people.”
For further information please contact Austin Hunter,
Media and Public Relations consultant to the Orange Order on 07815 849670.
