Let’s engage at home— not in South Africa

THE decision by the Parades Commission to ban the Orange Order from parading down Garvaghy Road next Sunday is to be welcomed.

However, to issue a rebuke to the Garvaghy Road residents’ group for declining an invitation to engage in a mediation initiative in South Africa is unwarranted.

For many years now Garvaghy Road residents have requested their local MP, David Trimble, to engage with them directly in an attempt to resolve the parades issue. For nine years now he has steadfastly refused to respond.