Parades 'must not be exploited'

Roger Poole is to step down from the job

Dialogue is the key to ensure dissident republicans do not exploit this year's marching season, the chairman of the NI Parades Commission has said.

Earlier this month, Roger Poole confirmed that he intended to leave his post as soon as a successor is found.

He said it was important contact between those involved in marching disputes was maintained.

"People who want to cause mayhem on the streets might want to use parades as a way of doing that," he said.

"We have got to make sure we keep the dialogue going between republicans, residents groups and all of the different parading groups in order so that they can make their decisions about how we can deal with these parades."

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