Traditional Unionist Voice Vice Chairman Keith Harbinson has described the comments made by Joint First Minister Martin McGuiness in respect of Orange Order Parades as inflammatory, provocative and extremely misguided at a time when tensions unfortunately are beginning to build naturally.

Mr Harbinson said:

“It is one thing for politicians to address an assembled gathering with gusto, providing them with sound bites of what they want to hear, but they must also then be held responsible for the much wider and far reaching effects of those statements.”

Mr Harbinson was responding to a statement made by Martin McGuiness at the annual Wolfe Tone commemoration at Bodenstown when he sought assurances that the Orange Order would “no longer seek to force parades through Catholic areas and risk bringing violence onto our streets," before further stating that:

"The days of republicans stretching ourselves and our communities to maintain calm in the face of sectarian provocation cannot last forever."

Mr Harbinson further stated:

“These statements by the Joint First Minister amount to little more than a cloaked threat against the outcome and safety of parades involving law abiding men, women and children taking part in lawful public processions to and from Christian Worship.  I cannot comprehend how Martin McGuiness can equate such provocative statements with his obvious responsibilities as Joint First Minister, but unfortunately, and not for the first time he has allowed his mask to slip revealing once more the character and calibre of those that have been allowed to occupy seats in our government.”

“Major strides have been taken in recent years concerning the issue of parading in Northern Ireland.  The Orange Order has worked tirelessly to educate people on their heritage and parading traditions, as well as taking a very active and responsible role in the strategic review of parading with the Ashdown Group and they should be commended for it.  Unfortunately however there are still sections of the community in Northern Ireland who refuse to accept our right to exercise our civil and religious liberties, and statements such as those made by Martin McGuiness do little more than foster such views and divisions.

“It is a sorry fact that I myself took part in a parade recently in the Republic of Ireland across the Boyne River, without one single objection, without one solitary dissenting voice, and where many local people came out to watch the parade pass and marvel at the spectacle that was the expression of Orange Culture.  Martin McGuiness would do well to look at that example of co-operation and acceptance for future sound bites.”