Speaking at a weekend conference organised by the GAA, Ms Ritchie said she was deeply concerned that the media was linking them with the Orange, Royal Black Institution and Apprentice Boys.

She said: "While the Loyal Orders have some progressive people around who wish to move them forward to a better place, they remain, unlike the GAA, sectional and sectarian, and deeply divisive in our community. There is no equivalence in my mind."

The SDLP Assembly member was addressing delegates at the second annual meeting of the Ulster GAA Community Development Unit.

Ms Ritchie stressed that she condemned all attacks on Orange Order and GAA property.

But last night a spokesman for the Loyal Orders said they were "gravely concerned" at Ms Ritchie's attack.

He added: "If quoted accurately, these remarks are offensive to our members and must be withdrawn immediately.

"We feel that the timing and occasion of these remarks could in the minds of some people legitimise the attacks on our property.

"The Loyal Orders want to play their part in moving society forward. Ms Ritchie is clearly not prepared to move forward like so many other people in the community."

At the end of last week, serious damage was caused to Bawn Orange Hall near Pomeroy when an explosive device went off inside. In the last few weeks, GAA clubs in Cookstown and Edendork, Co Tyrone, were attacked and loyalist paramilitary group the Orange Volunteers claimed responsibility.

Early on Saturday, the door of the Apprentice Boys' Memorial Hall on Society Street, Londonderry, was doused with flammable liquid and set alight.

A 20-year-old man was arrested soon after the 1am attack and charged with arson and arson with intent to endanger life.

When contacted by the News Letter last night, Ms Ritchie would not comment personally on the furious reaction from the Order.

An SDLP spokesman said on her behalf: "The minister unequivocally condemns all attacks on all premises irrespective of their political, religious or community affiliation, which was clear and unambiguous in her weekend statement.

"Her remarks referred to the outlook, outreach and ethos of the organisations."

He added that Ms Ritchie was committed to helping people work together to achieve a "shared future".

Over the last few years, the Orange Order has sought to shed the negative image of the Drumcree years and reached out to the nationalist community north and south of the border.

Culture Minister for the Republic Eamon O'Cuiv has spoken about the importance of preserving the Orange culture and made a grant of £100,000 to assist in the development of Orange halls in border counties.

And the Irish government has announced it will spend more than £25 million to turn the Boyne battlefield site into a magnet for tourists.