First Joint Meeting With Parades Commission Ahead

The First and Deputy First Minister are to meet with the Parades Commission for the first joint meeting ahead of the marching season.

Both Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness have never before jointly met with the members of the commission, where discussion on specific contentious parades are expected.

The Stormont meetings on Monday come just after a series of public meetings with over 300 local stakeholders, which the commission described as "very worthwhile".

The ministers will meet with the commission's chairman, Peter Osborne, who has also called for talks with the Grand Lodge of the Orange Order. However, the order has an official policy of refusing to speak to the Parades Commission.

Mr Osborne said the purpose behind the initiative was to "facilitate an exchange of views on parading issues on an informal basis". It is expected the outcome of the publicly held meetings will be discussed with the First and Deputy Ministers on Monday morning.

"We are entering the height of the parading season and it is important that people continue to play a constructive role in promoting understanding of parades and of managing situations where difficulties remain.

"The Commission is grateful to those who attended meetings in recent months and we will continue to engage with local communities in the future.”

The marching season has already begun in Northern Ireland, with the Whiterock parade - which has previously seen violent clashes - passing off peacefully this weekend. Nationalist residents held a peaceful protest as the parade passed through the nationalist area on Saturday and the PSNI praised marchers and protesters for the "dignified and respectful way in which the event was conducted".

Around 50 Orangemen were allowed through the peaceline on Workman Avenue while, as part of a Parades Commission ruling, another 850 marchers and bandsmen were re-routed to join the Springfield Road at a different point.

(DW)