Order to discuss SF dialogue
THE Orange Order is to re-examine its ban on meeting with residents’ groups containing Sinn Fein representatives.
The current policy of the Order is not to engage with the Parades Commission or go into talks with Sinn Fein-led residents’ groups.
The Order has previously refused to meet with nationalist residents’ groups which are fronted by Sinn Fein members to seek accommodation over disputed parades.
But Grand Secretary of the Imperial Lodge Mervyn Bishop said the policy will be discussed at a special meeting on Saturday, along with attempts to seek unity between the unionist parties.
The Orange Order holds four quarterly meetings each year as well as a special Grand Orange Lodge Ireland meeting in March to discuss parading.
Speaking to a dinner held by the Grand Lodge of Research last Saturday evening, Mr Bishop said the issue of the order speaking directly to Sinn Fein would be discussed by of members of the Grand Orange Lodge on Saturday.
He also said unionist unity was needed between the parties going forward.
Mr Bishop was speaking after Grand Lodge officers had met with the three DUP members of the new parading working group to be updated on progress.
The Orange Order faciliated a meeting between DUP and Ulster Unionist leaders last November in an attempt to secure an agreed unionist candidate in the South Belfast and Fermanagh South Tyrone constituencies.
In Londonderry, the three loyal orders – Orange Order, Black Preceptory and the Apprentice Boys – reached accommodation after holding talks with the Bogside Residents’ Group and the local business community.
The talks allowed them to continue their parades without the scenes of violent protest from residents which had marred loyal events previously.
This Londonderry model has been touted as the way forward but has met opposition through the Orange Order policy of not talking to residents groups which include members of Sinn Fein.
