Yesterday’s address by Orange Order Grand secretary Drew Nelson to the Oireachtas was a welcome and significant moment in the evolution of an Ireland at peace with all of its traditions, old and new.

Sinn Féin has said that it would "not be hostile" to the Orange Order holding a parade in Dublin, but the right to march must be balanced with the rights of community.

A senior member of the Orange Order has appealed to the Government for permission to parade in Dublin.

History was made this lunchtime after one of the most senior members of the Orange Order addressed the Seanad, while the Grand Master was present for the speech.

For the first time in the history of the State, a member of the Orange Order will today address the Irish parliament.

THE ballroom in Leinster House is as appropriate a place as any to receive the grandmaster of the Orange Order Edward Stevenson at noon today.

The Grand Secretary of the Orange Order will give a historic address to the Seanad next month.

An Orange hall destroyed in an overnight fire was targeted by arsonists who may have used diversionary tactics to keep the emergency services from the area, Orangemen have claimed.

ULSTER Bank has offered a “sincere apology” to the Orange Order for having staff members wear Down GAA colours ahead of last month’s All-Ireland final.

The annual Drumcree Orange march takes place in the North today.

The leadership of the Orange Order has rejected a call from Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams, for direct talks between the two organisations.

The Orange Order today described as an historic landmark its meeting with the Government over the slashing of education grants to Protestant schools in Ireland.

The Orange Order today called for an end to tit-for-tat attacks in the North after two GAA clubs were targeted by arsonists.

The Orange Order leadership will not meet Sinn Féin until republicans express regret for their part in the Troubles, the organisation said today.

GOVERNMENT aid is likely to be sought for the redevelopment of an Orange Hall in Co Cavan, which was gutted at about 8pm on Thursday night in a suspected arson attack.

The Government was urged today to simplify the process of securing compensation in Northern Ireland for Orange halls targeted in arson and other attacks.

The Orange Order says 50 of its halls in the North have been attacked since the beginning of July.

The loyal marching orders today held a groundbreaking first ever joint meeting with the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese has apologised for remarks which offended Northern Protestants during a radio interview on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.