According to media reports, Mr Adams has said that the issue of parading can only be resolved through dialogue between the Loyal Orders and local communities.

I agree with him on this one! Pity he then felt the need to say: "There is no rationale for an Orange parade along the Garvaghy Road."

If Gerry Adams has already decided that there is no rationale for the Orangemen to walk down Garvaghy Road, one is left wondering if there is any point in the Orange Order meeting the residents.

I will give Gerry Adams the benefit of the doubt because I have always said, from Drumcree 1998, that the Orange Order should meet the Parades Commission and the concerned, offended residents.

As an MLA, I had meetings with the Parades Commission once or twice every month. I had meetings with Peter Mandelson and the late Mo Mowlam (both of them understood the situation very well).

Both sides, Orangemen and residents should try to get away from the terms "asking permission to walk" and "giving permission to walk".

The Orangemen could meet the residents and explain to them that they plan to walk home from Drumcree Church one Sunday in the year. The offended and concerned residents could then tell the Orange Order what offends and concerns them. I have no doubt every effort would be made to allow any genuine fears or concerns the residents have.

In the past, I was asked if I would meet the Garvaghy Road residents. I agreed and that was the last I ever heard of the meeting.

I don't think the residents want to talk to the Orangemen; it suits them very well to sit back, do nothing and blame the Loyal Orders. They know they can always depend on the Parades Commission.

Pauline Armitage,
Portstewart