The Northern Ireland Parades Commission is considering new proposals for the route of a controversial band parade planned for tomorrow in Newry, Co Down.
A Sinn Fein delegation has tabled proposals for a new route for the march, which it is thought could involve up to 1,000 people and 30 bands around the outskirts of the mainly nationalist town.
A Sinn Fein member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr Conor Murphy, who led the party delegation, said after the one-hour meeting that while the new route around the outskirts would not avoid offence to nationalists living in Newry, it would be more acceptable than the one being proposed in the Parades Commission's determination.
"Nationalists living on the Belfast Road would be hemmed in for three hours if they stick to the Parades Commission ruling," he claimed.
"They object to many of these bands, especially those who carry paramilitary LVF and UVF logos, and the `kick the Pope band'," he said.
A spokesman for the Parades Commission confirmed it had received proposals for the parade route from a Sinn Fein delegation.
The ruling has also been condemned by a DUP assembly member for Newry and Armagh, Mr Paul Berry, who has criticised the decision to prevent loyalists taking part from marching to Newry Town Hall along the route.