Proximity talks between the Orange Order in Co Armagh and residents of the Garvaghy Road in Portadown will resume this morning in Armagh city. The talks, convened by the British Prime Minister's chief of staff, Mr Jonathan Powell, broke up late last Saturday night after 10 hours of discussion.
The residents' coalition yesterday welcomed the resumption of talks, but its spokesman, Mr Breandan Mac Cionnaith, said this year's Drumcree parade was "a dead issue" as far as he was concerned.
The coalition welcomed the talks "with a view to developing a wider climate of mutual respect". The talks were a first step, but fell short of the direct dialogue that was needed.
Mr Mac Cionnaith said there were two sets of negotiations, one with the British government and one with the Orange Order. He could not say whether the Orange Order "wanted to engage", but the British government was "coming forward with proposals" on the equality agenda, which the residents believed had to be addressed. "The marching issue is only a small part of the problem," he added.
In a statement yesterday, the residents criticised plans by Portadown Orangemen to hold a rally in the town last night, saying it called into question their commitment to achieving a long-term resolution.
Two facilitators, Mr Peter Quinn and Rev Roy Magee, will mediate between the two sides at today's talks, which are due to start at 9 a.m.