Schedule agreed for Ardoyne parade talks
A timetable has been agreed for talks between Sinn Féin and a loyalist parades group in a bid to resolve issues surrounding a contentious Twelfth of July march through Ardoyne.
Members of the North and West Belfast Parades and Cultural Forum met with Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams at Stormont on Monday.
The meeting followed talks held at City Hall in August, which were prompted after three days of rioting at the north Belfast flashpoint during the Twelfth period.
Speaking on Monday, Mr Adams said a schedule of discussions have now been arranged in the build up to the 2011 marching season.
“This should not be left until the cusp of the marching season,” he told UTV.
“It is good that we’re meeting in the winter and that we will meet between now and Easter and hopefully make some progress.
“In August Sinn Féin and the Forum met to discuss parading issues, and that was an important engagement.
“Today’s meeting was a follow up to that conversation and was a candid and honest discussion. There are difficult issues involved but Sinn Féin believes that with dialogue and a genuine commitment a resolution can be found.”
