'Major breakthrough' tonight as mediator for Drumcree dispute appointed - Orange Order district adds 'we want tolerance and inclusion in talks'
The Portadown District of the Orange Order has said that a mediator has been appointed to enable talks over a new Drumcree parade.
This is “a significant development”, said the district in a statement tonight, adding that it wants the talks to be based on “principles of tolerance and inclusion”.
The Orange Order has long accused opponents of the Drumcree parade of exercising a de facto veto over the parade by refusing any mediation.
Following a judgment from the High Court which savaged the way the Parades Commission has blocked the Drumcree parade, the Orange Order has submitted an application for some 60 members to walk down the Garvaghy Road in silence, completing the parade for the first time since 1997.
The date it has in mind is September 27 – the Sunday closest to Ulster Day, which typically falls on September 28 and which marks the signing of the Ulster Covenant in 1912.
Here in full is the district’s statement: “We can confirm that the Parades Commission have now appointed a mediation facilitator.
"This is a significant development.
"We have for many years argued for mediation, but this was rejected and instead obstinate refusals to engage in dialogue was rewarded by the Parades Commission, allowing a veto to be exercised by those who refused to engage.
"It is welcome it is recognised that position is no longer sustainable.
"Portadown District has confirmed our readiness to commence the mediation process as a matter of urgency without any preconditions.
"We wish to engage in dialogue and consultation in a respectful manner based upon principles of tolerance and inclusion.
"However we do make clear that mediation cannot be used as a device to obstruct or impede consideration of our upcoming notification.
"We are disappointed at the Parades Commission delay in commencing this progress, but stand ready to engage on an intensive basis to seek resolution to any concerns which persist.
"We urge those opposed to our exercise of the peaceful enjoyment of our rights to enter into dialogue and together we can seek to achieve a resolution to this longstanding issue, building a tolerant and rights-based society, respecting everyone.
"Finally, we reiterate our unequivocal commitment to the rule of law and again make clear that these matters can only be resolved via purely peaceful and lawful means.
"There is no threat of any form of disorder, disruption or violence from our community and any unjust interference with the peaceful exercise of our rights will be addressed using the legal process exclusively.
"We urge all others with an interest in this issue to match our commitment, and as a starting point we can collectively ensure we have a cross-community commitment to peaceful and lawful means of resolving our differences, reflective of the Northern Ireland of 2026.”
DUP MP for the area Carla Lockhart has tonight hailed the move, calling it “a significant breakthrough”.
She said the proposed parade “is so peaceful, modest and benign that it is scarcely believable that anyone other than the most sectarian and intolerant could rationally object to it”.
She added: “It is my sincere hope that mediation can produce a lasting and equitable resolution which respects the rights of everyone.
"This is not about anyone winning or losing.
"It is about proportionately balancing competing rights within a lawful framework ,and upholding the principles of a democratic and pluralist society, including the duty to tolerate and respect the culture of others.”
She also stressed that “the regulation of parading is an internal matter for the United Kingdom... and any attempt by the Irish Prime Minister to meddle in this process would be wholly inappropriate”.
She has contacted the Secretary of State to “express my concern about suggestions that the Irish government may seek to interfere in this issue”.