The Sinn Fein leader and officers from Portadown District held surprise talks last month.

The Parades Commission has ruled the traditional parade from Drumcree church to Portadown centre via the Garvaghy Road will once again be barred this Sunday.

Mr Hewitt said they hoped the talks would assist in resolving the long running dispute.

Numerous attempts by Portadown district to engage in dialogue under the auspices of an independent chairperson have been spurned by Garvaghy Road residents.

On the Adams initiative, Mr Hewitt says the Lodge were approached regarding the issue.

"I have to say that meeting Gerry Adams was not our idea or a main priority. The proposition came out of the blue from a Portadown businessman who asked us if we'd like to meet the Sinn Fein leader," he said.

"After much heart-searching, we decided to go ahead and take the opportunity to ask Adams some relevant questions, not least about the infamous Meath speech a few years ago when he said that the stopping of the Drumcree parade took four years in the planning."

Mr Hewitt revealed the meeting was held in Belfast and chaired by the Portadown businessman. Mr Adams was accompanied only by an aide.

"The mood was businesslike, rather than cordial. It wasn't a case of drinks round the table, lads. It was courteous and straight-talking. We knew we wouldn't change his opinion and he wouldn't change ours, but at least he understands the Orange Institution a bit better now."

The leading Orange figure also played down any divisions with the Grand Lodge of Ireland who were critical of the Adams talks.

"True, we met Gerry Adams without consulting the County Lodge or the Grand Lodge of Ireland, and we're talking to the officers there soon. I'm sure they'll understand. Things move on. You only have to look at the political scenario," Mr Hewitt said.

He continued: "I'm not so naive as to think Adams will tour the Garvaghy Road and ask the residents for a change of heart, as he's still against the march. And it won't get us down the Garvaghy Road this Sunday.

"You have to realise that anything up to 100 Orangemen go to Drumcree every Sunday and we're still determined to get back to Portadown via the Garvaghy Road, but we want face-to-face talks without pre-conditions. To coin an Adams phrase, we 'haven't gone away, you know'," he added.