THE Orange Order has rejected a proposal for the Irish Government to send observers to monitor contentious marches and parades in Northern Ireland. The suggestion had been put forward by the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams.
It was a "huge mistake" observers were not sent last year and that should be reversed Mr Adams told reporters in Belfast. "I think, in terms of confidence building, that the Irish Government should authorise officials or other monitors to come here to observe the situation."
After a meeting yesterday with the Lower Ormeau Concerned Community group, Mr Adams said: "Where a host community wants observers or monitors during times of contentious parades they should be there. It's very important that beleaguered communities have some sense that there's someone out there, trying to assist them during these difficult times.
"It would be unnecessary if there were talks now and the contentious parades issues were resolved, but if it isn't, then the observers should be on the ground."
Mr George Patton, executive officer of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, said later: "The Republic has no right to send observers into our jurisdiction, but I am very happy for anyone to come and watch how peaceful our parades are and the actions of residents' groups illegally blocking their way."
The first contentious parade is due to take place on Easter Monday, March 31st, when members of the Apprentice Boys of Derry gather on Ormeau Road in Belfast. Most concern, however, centres on the planned Drumcree Church parade by Portadown Orangemen on the town's predominantly Catholic Garvaghy Road on July 6th.
The Grand Master of the Orange Order, Mr Robert Saulters, said he was "optimistic" agreement could be reached on Drumcree. Certainly I do not want a repeat of last year where we would be doing the business of Sinn Fein/IRA and destroy the province and the whole fabric of society in Northern Ireland," he told Radio Ulster.
Ms Brid Rodgers of the SDLP welcomed the "responsible attitude" displayed by Mr Saulters, adding that his remarks clearly reflected the desire of a majority within the Protestant community for compromise.
The Alliance Party chief whip, Mr Sean Neeson, said Mr Saulters had "provided a degree of leadership which is clearly missing from some unionist leaders, particularly David Trimble".
The Sinn Fein president said: "I would like to see Mr Saulters taking a further step in the right direction of actually meeting the people themselves, setting an example to his brethren."
A telephone poll of 1,000 people across the North, both Catholic and Protestant, which was conducted earlier this month by Ulster Marketing Surveys, found that 62 per cent were in favour of a compromise over the Drumcree parade.
This contrasted with a poll organised last month by the Belfast Telegraph, where members of the public were invited to phone in their views, which found that 71 per cent wanted the Drumcree march to go ahead.
Moves are reportedly taking place behind the scenes to arrive at an agreement over Drumcree and other disputed marches.