THE Tanaiste, Mr Spring, last night expressed the Government's deep concerns about the proposed loyalist march at Harryville, Ballymena, tomorrow night. Andy he pressed the British government to ensure that "we do not have a recurrence of what happened last year in Northern Ireland in relation to parades".
Events over recent months at Harryville, the North Report on Parades and Marches, and the continuing controversy over the events of Bloody Sunday featured heavily in a "reflective" meeting between Mr Spring and the Northern Ireland Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, over a working dinner in London.
After the "indepth stock taking" meeting it was signalled that the Stormont inter party talks are likely to be adjourned at the end of this month, as the parties prepare for the British general election.
Having earlier criticised the British government's intention to begin only a partial implementation of the North Review's recommendations, Mr Spring said last night's meeting had produced "a very useful and worthwhile exchange of views".
Asked if they had agreed on any of the issues discussed, the Tanaiste replied: "I think we both accept the importance of ensuring we do not have a recurrence of what happened last year in Northern Ireland in relation to parades."
Asked specifically about the proposed Harryville parade, Mr Spring said: "We raised concerns' over what has been happening over many months in Harryville. I think it is fair to say that protests and pickets outside places of worship are unacceptable in any community in Northern Ireland, and we certainly had talks in relation to that. We certainly hope there will not be conflict or confrontation in Harryville or indeed in any other location in Northern Ireland in the coming months."
Sir Patrick said: "I think these things are very wisely left to those, and there are many of them, who are seeking to get local agreement to a very contentious and sensitive issue. And I don't think it's very wise to discuss these matters on an occasion like this.".
Asked if the reality was that things would remain stalled until after the British general election, Mr Spring said obviously elections, whether in Britain or Ireland, had their own bearing on the situation.
It is understood no definitive, arrangements have yet been agreed for the winding up of the talks process prior to the election.