Ardoyne talks to calm parade tensions
Talks are underway between an Ardoyne residents group and the loyalist Parades Forum in a bid to ease tensions ahead of the parading season.
A joint statement from both parties on Wednesday said meetings have been taking place since last week.
Trouble flared in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast surrounding a contentious Orange Order march in 2010.
Co-operative efforts are now being made to prevent similar scenes.
Spokesmen from the two groups said they will be keeping the local community informed on developments, but have called for “space” to allow the process to continue.
Winston Irvine, of the North and West Belfast Parades Forum, said: “Our efforts will be focused on trying to reach an arrangement that will be mutually acceptable to both groups and the wider community that we serve”.
Joe Marley from the Crumlin Ardoyne Residents Association (CARA) said: “We therefore ask for space to develop this process and trust that these efforts will not be undermined in any way”.
They said people should “resist making unhelpful speculation” so that any progress can be reported in a responsible manner to the communities involved.
The Parades Commission has welcomed the move, saying: “The Commission welcomes the dialogue which is taking place and we commend those who are showing leadership in this area.
“It is important that those involved are afforded time and space to conduct their talks and the Commission is supportive of that.”
