Parades body holds first meeting
A NEW working group set up to examine the issue of parading has held its first meeting.
The DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson, Stephen Moutray and Nelson McCausland alongside Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly, Michelle Gildernew and John O'Dowd gathered at Stormont Castle on Tuesday.
The group, which will meet on a daily basis, has three weeks to come up with agreed outcomes which are capable of achieving cross-community support.
Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinnness, who attended the first meeting, have agreed to support the agreed results.
Mr Kelly described the atmosphere as "business-like".
"We have not said that we will sort out the issue of contentious parades in two or three weeks - we will try to put together a structure that will make it easier," he told the BBC.
The Hillsborough Agreement said it recognised the need for "local people providing local solutions".
It also said that any framework should reflect "respect for the rights of those who parade, and respect for the rights of those who live in areas through which they seek to parade".
Following the completion of the consultation process, a legislative bill will be finalised which should pass through the Assembly before the end of the year.
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Weather for Belfast
Monday 28 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
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