17/02/2006

Orange Order to reconsider relationship with Parades Commission

The Orange Order is to reconsider its policy on the Parades Commission at a special meeting to be held tomorrow.

Under current Orange Order policy, the two groups do not engage directly with each other in discussions over controversial marches, however it is understood that many members of the order would like to see this policy changed.

This is expected to be the main topic of discussion at tomorrow's meeting.

A change of policy could result in further discussions taking place between the two bodies, before this summer's marching season. However, views on the Parades Commission at the Grand Lodge are known to be diverse and any voting could easily go either way.

Two Orange Order members, David Burrows and Don MacKay, who are members of the Portadown lodge, now sit on the Parades Commission, however it is understood that opposition to that still exists within the Order.

The Parades Commission was set up in 1997 to decide whether or not restrictions should be made on contentious parades during the Northern Ireland marching season.

(EF/SP)

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