Local MLAs named on parades working group

Parading was one of the issues which held up talks at Hillsborough Castle.

In the agreement published on Friday a working group was to be set up in order to settle the issue of parades.

The two Upper Bann representatives were named on Monday evening to sit on the cross party working group.

Stephen Moutray said: "The DUP is very clear, this issue needs to be resolved.

"We recognise that parading is important and we want to see local solutions to local problems.

"I along with my party colleagues will work to bring forward proposals that hold out the prospect of a new beginning to this matter.

“There will be no jumping ahead - parades will be completed in the same way as policing. There is a timetable for parades legislation to be completed.”

John O'Dowd said: "The remit of the this group is set out clearly in the Hillsborough Agreement we are not and will not negotiating around individual parades whether they be in Portadown, Lurgan or elsewhere.

"Our job is to establish a report for the First and deputy First Minister which will become the basis of legislation which will then go through the full rigours and examination of the Assembly by all political parties.

"This will include a full public consultation and the need for the final legislation to be agreed on a cross community vote in the Assembly."

He went on: "The report will form the basis of new and improved way forward for the adjudicating and mediation around contentious parades, at no time will the Assembly be voting on whether or not a parade goes ahead or is rerouted.

"Sinn Fein has long argued that the only viable way to resolve this issue in the long term is through direct dialogue between the Loyal Orders and the local resident groups.

"Some marching Orders have been more progressive in their thinking than others.

"To date the Orange Order has refused to engage with resident groups or indeed the Parades Commission. This is a mistake, as is their refusal to meet with Sinn Fein."

He added: "There is clearly a huge challenge for us all to resolve this issue. All politicians and political parties whether they be in or out of the Assembly have a duty to all citizens to act in a responsible manner around this matter.

"I believe we can help resolve this issue if we come at it from an equality basis and the right of everyone to freedom from sectarian harassment."

Joining the two on the group are Jeffrey Donaldson and Nelson McCausland from the DUP with Gerry Kelly and Michelle Gildernew from Sinn Fein.

The group is set to meet every day until February 23 to arrive at a solution which can achieve cross-community support.