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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Orange changes policy on talking to residents' groups | Orange changes policy on talking to residents' groups |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Orange Order has changed its policy on engagement with residents' groups to discuss contentious parades. | The Orange Order has changed its policy on engagement with residents' groups to discuss contentious parades. |
| The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has confirmed that it decided formally in March that "flexibility be allowed over engagement at a local level". | The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has confirmed that it decided formally in March that "flexibility be allowed over engagement at a local level". |
| This means lodges can decide whether to talk to residents' groups in their area to seek agreement over parades. | This means lodges can decide whether to talk to residents' groups in their area to seek agreement over parades. |
| Previously, the Order's policy was not to engage directly with "Sinn Fein-backed residents groups". | Previously, the Order's policy was not to engage directly with "Sinn Fein-backed residents groups". |
| It is understood this policy has now changed in order to give flexibility to local lodges to engage in talks with residents groups if they decide it is appropriate to do so. | It is understood this policy has now changed in order to give flexibility to local lodges to engage in talks with residents groups if they decide it is appropriate to do so. |
| On Wednesday, Mervyn Gibson, the county grand chaplain of the Orange Order, said the organisation did not rule out talking to residents' groups in Belfast in the future to resolve parading issues. | On Wednesday, Mervyn Gibson, the county grand chaplain of the Orange Order, said the organisation did not rule out talking to residents' groups in Belfast in the future to resolve parading issues. |
| He was speaking ahead of Saturday's Ulster Covenant centenary parade in Belfast. | He was speaking ahead of Saturday's Ulster Covenant centenary parade in Belfast. |
| David McNarry, who is a former assistant grand master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, said: "The grand lodge has empowered any district, putting forward a reasonable case to enter into discussions on a localised basis on local issues, to do so if it feels comfortable." | David McNarry, who is a former assistant grand master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, said: "The grand lodge has empowered any district, putting forward a reasonable case to enter into discussions on a localised basis on local issues, to do so if it feels comfortable." |
| The independent MLA added: "The best people to do this are the people on the ground." | The independent MLA added: "The best people to do this are the people on the ground." |
| Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that a resident from nearby Carrickhill is to go to court on Friday to seek a judicial review of the ruling on Saturday's parade. | |
| The Orange Order has said it expects up to 30,000 marchers to take part in the event across the city. | The Orange Order has said it expects up to 30,000 marchers to take part in the event across the city. |
| The Parades Commission has ruled that only hymns are to be played as part of the parade passes St Patrick's Church in north Belfast. | The Parades Commission has ruled that only hymns are to be played as part of the parade passes St Patrick's Church in north Belfast. |
| It also said there should be no loyalist supporters on that section of the route, while the numbers of nationalist protestors have been limited to 150. | It also said there should be no loyalist supporters on that section of the route, while the numbers of nationalist protestors have been limited to 150. |
| Reverend Mervyn Gibson said making sure the parade passed off peacefully was the priority. | Reverend Mervyn Gibson said making sure the parade passed off peacefully was the priority. |
| Last month, seven police officers were injured when trouble broke out after several loyalist bands defied a Parades Commission ruling by playing music as they marched past the church. | Last month, seven police officers were injured when trouble broke out after several loyalist bands defied a Parades Commission ruling by playing music as they marched past the church. |
| The Royal Black Institution, which had organised the 25 August parade, later apologised "for any offence caused" to clergy and parishioners at St Patrick's. | The Royal Black Institution, which had organised the 25 August parade, later apologised "for any offence caused" to clergy and parishioners at St Patrick's. |
| In an open letter, it said its anger was not directed at the Catholic church. | In an open letter, it said its anger was not directed at the Catholic church. |