Kelly concerned over the issue of parading

Dolores Kelly said: "The SDLP is wary of the DUP/SF proposals on parading. They have been developed in private over the heads of nationalist people. Whereas the orange order has been kept in the loop nationalism was excluded.

"This was not the way a deeply divisive issue should have been managed; it has created doubts and suspicion. A local dispute will now be escalated to a high political level - The Office of the First and Deputy First Minister.

"The people of Portadown, unionist and nationalist, have enjoyed relative peace and welcome relief during the marching season in recent years.

"This has been achieved by taking decisions on marches out of the political and policing arena and putting them in the hands of the independent Parades Commission. The new proposals reverse this situation and gives virtual control to the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister.

"The DUP and Orange Order have got their wish – the scrapping of the Parades Commission. It is clear that the new model will be wide open to political interference.

"The current Parades Commission needed to be developed and enhanced and not replaced. Once more SF has played into the hands of the DUP and the Orange Order by rubbishing the current commission. Their irresponsibility has come home to roost."