Donaldson welcomes suggestion for July 12 national holiday

The DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson has welcomed the sentiment behind calls for July the 12th to be made a national holiday.

The former PD leader Michael McDowell made the suggestion at the MacGill Summer School in Glenties last night.

The date is the traditional height of the marching season in Northern Ireland, when the Orange Order celebrates the Battle of the Boyne.

Mr Donaldson said that some people on both sides of the Border "could not accept the traditions and culture of others", as seen in the Ardoyne riots this July, and that would have to be worked on.

However, he said Mr McDowell's contribution was a positive one.