He has offered to meet both Orangemen and representatives of the Garvaghy Road Resident's Coalition to try and find a solution to the long running dispute.

Last night both sides appeared to signal that they would attend. The annual parade, due to take place tomorrow, has been banned from the Garvaghy Road for the past 11 years.

Mr Robinson revealed he has offered to meet Orange district leaders and representatives of the local resident's group to see if progress is possible.

"I have written to both the Orange District and resident's group in good faith and I hope that they will feel able to respond in a positive manner", he said.

"By demonstrating a commonsense approach, I am certain that we can find a way through this issue. I will do all I can to help progress this matter to a consensual conclusion, but I would be equally content if in the preliminary discussions the two parties agree on some other approach or arrangement which might meet reach the outcome that everyone in Portadown and indeed throughout Northern Ireland wishes to see.

The Grand Master of Portadown District said the First Minister's proposal was one Orangemen would 'absolutely welcome'.
"I would hope that everybody responds in such a positive manner", said Darryl Hewitt.

Garvaghy Road resident's spokesman Brendan McKenna said: "I don't know what he (Mr Robinson] is going to suggest, but I do know that when there has been political intervention I the past, it has proved very unhelpful."