Robinson says Drumcree talks will happen
First Minister Peter Robinson has said he believes direct talks between Portadown Orangemen and Garvaghy road residents will happen "soon".
The bitter dispute over the Drumcree parade has dragged on for more than a decade.
Mr Robinson made his comments following a meeting with the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition at Stormont Castle.
It was the first time the residents had met with senior members of the DUP.
Residents spokesman Brendan McKenna said the the meeting was cordial and the DUP leader appeared open-minded about ways to resolve the Drumcree impasse.
The talks at Stormont followed last Sunday's peaceful parade in Portadown and have been welcomed by all sides in the dispute.
Portadown Orangemen have already met with the First Minister and asked him to intervene and try to mediate in a settlement.
Mr Robinson said he felt there was sufficient common ground on both sides to allow a meeting to take place.
He said he thought both groups would be content for incoming Parades Commission chairman Rena Shepherd to chair any meeting.
"I think both of them are prepared to sit down with the other," Mr Robinson said.
"There are issues in relation to the agenda which I believe can be sorted out.
"I would hope to talk later today or tomorrow to Mrs Shepherd and hopefully she can advance it from there."
Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition members described their talks with Mr Robinson over the Drumcree dispute as "cordial".
Coalition spokesman Brendan McKenna said Mr Robinson had appeared "open-minded".
He said the First Minister had shown he "wasn't going to act as a proxy on behalf of the Orange Order or as a mediator".
Mr McKenna said the DUP leader was showing a fair approach.
The GRRC said there was "no animosity" in the meeting.
"Mr Robinson said he had heard the Orange Orders views on the whole thing three weeks ago and wanted to hear the opposing views from the nationalist community in Portadown."
Parades Commission members are to meet the First Minister at the same venue later today.
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Weather for Belfast
Saturday 11 February 2012
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Light rain
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
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