DUP discuss parades with minister

Orange Order is the largest Protestant organisation in NI

It would be "madness" if police tried to stop a "mini Twelfth" Orange march in east Belfast, DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson has warned.

A DUP delegation is meeting Security Minister Shaun Woodward to discuss concerns about the Parades Commission.

Orangemen are angry that 33 parade applications were rejected as the names of officials were not entered on forms.

They fear prosecution if trouble breaks out. Some parades were ruled illegal as forms were not filled out fully.

One of these marches is a parade on 1 July in Mr Robinson's east Belfast constituency.

Police must now decide whether to block the parades.

The Parades Commission was set up in 1997 to make decisions on whether controversial parades should be restricted.

On Wednesday, Mr Robinson said Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern had "heightened tensions" over parades in Northern Ireland by recent remarks in the Dail.

The Parades Commission's role was to ensure that parades passed off peacefully, not to ensure that forms are filled out properly Peter Robinson DUP deputy leader

"There are rumours in east Belfast that the police would attempt to interfere with the 1 July parade," he said.

"That would be absolute madness and would set the scene for very considerable commotion in the weeks and months which follow if they were to take that step.

"The Parades Commission's role, and we opposed the Parades Commission, was to ensure that parades passed off peacefully, not to ensure that forms are filled out properly.

"Their job should be left to the issues of whether parades are taking place in Northern Ireland in a way that is conducive to having good community relations."

'Creating big difficulties'

Mr Ahern defended remarks he made in the Irish parliament urging the Orange Order to enter negotiations along the lines of the Apprentice Boys in Londonderry.

He said his only interest was in ensuring a quiet marching season.

A meeting to discuss the issue took place at Albertbridge Orange Hall in Belfast on Wednesday night.

The Orange institution wants to see all of their parades pass off without incident Jim Rodgers UUP councillor

East Belfast councillor and Orange Order member Jim Rodgers, who attended the meeting, said people were "exceptionally angry".

"People are adamant that in the parades form... where it requests the name of the organiser of the parade - that in that square should go merely the name of the organisation."

He added: "It is the members of the lodge who actually prepare and plan the parade - it is not the individual - and that's what is creating big difficulties.

"The Orange institution wants to see all of their parades pass off without incident.

"They want to work with the police, they want to work with the government and unfortunately there is an attitude prevailing - 'let's stop this parade, let's stop the other parade' - and that is what is also creating great stress."

Mr Rodgers said he understood a judicial review on the issue was "a distinct possibility".

'Lot of tension'

Meanwhile, a Sinn Fein delegation has met the Parades Commission in Belfast.

Speaking afterwards, party president Gerry Adams said: "Sinn Fein want to see a quiet summer and a peaceful marching season."

He added: "The marching orders have shown no inclination to talk to residents and indeed recent decisions by them, indicate a confrontational approach to the Parades Commission and its decisions.

"The loyal orders, supported by all shades of unionism, is challenging the Parades Commission. There is a lot of tension at this time as a result."

Commission rulings restricting Protestant loyal order marches, which are opposed by nationalist residents, have led to calls by unionist politicians for the body to be scrapped.