The full text of Harold Graceys response to the Parades Commission

1.I am the District Master of Portadown District Loyal Orange Lodge No. 1 and have been since 1986. I list here a series of meetings and events in which I , together with other District Officers from Portadown , have taken part in an effort to resolve the difficulty in returning from morning worship at Drumcree Parish Church to Carleton Street Orange Hall via the traditional route of the Garvaghy Road. I refer to a list of meetings between the 6th July 1998 and the 15th July 1999.I would highlight the following.

a) Proximity talks at the Demesne Armagh on three separate dates namely 11th , 18th and 21st July 1998.Portadown District Officers were present at all three.The talks were chaired by Jonathon Powell , the Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister.In addition Officers were present from the Country Grand Lodge of Armagh.The Garvaghy Road Coalition were represented.

b) The bilateral talks Portadown 12th August , 18th September and 17th October1998.There was little progress.Senior civil servants from the Northern Ireland Office met both sides to the dispute.The Portadown District delegation attempted to learn of any specific legitimate concerns or grievances which the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition (hereinafter GRRC ) had with regard to the Orange parade but were not advised specifically of any.There was an attempt to try to agree a process for further discussions but nothing materialised.

c) 16th December 1998 Proximity talks at Nutts Corner.These were chaired by Jonathan Powell.Again senior civil servants from the NIO were in attendance together with the Reverend Roy Magee and Peter Quinn. Portadown District representatives made it clear that it was desirable to have a return parade from Drumcree Parish Church before the end 1998 and once that was achieved it would be possible to move forward through mechanisms for a Civic Forum or similar body.Unfortunately there was no prospect of any movement from the GRRC in these terms.

d) The Frank Blair initiative was instigated by the Prime Minister and Jonathon Powell.It was envisaged that there would be three phases to it.The Portadown delegation took part in all three phases.The first phase was an initial meeting in which Frank Blair explained what he had in mind.The second phase was a two-day process in which representatives of every lodge in Portadown District met with representatives including Frank Blair to go through and prioritise all issues relating to the Drumcree issue.Neither of those initial stages were completed by the representatives from the GRRC.The third phase took place on the 4th , 5th and 17th June at the Interpoint Centre , Belfast.There were some exchanges of paper between Portadown District and the GRRC.Frank Blair presented an initiative with two sections to it.One section was quickly agreed by Portadown District namely that if a Civic Forum was created , Portadown District would attend it in whatever capacity they were permitted.This would be in keeping with the representatives from all other sections of the community in Portadown.They undertook to play whatever part they could in the entirety of a Civic Forum.The second phase was to attempt to resolve the return march from Drumcree Parish Church.However the only significant response from the GRRC was to make it clear that they find all Orange marches quite unacceptable.At the end of the process Frank Blair made it clear to Portadown District that he had failed to make any progress whatsoever and was advising the Prime Minister and Jonathon Powell that his process was effectively dead.Throughout this process the GRRC had continually stalled and prevaricated.They declined to address any specific questions concerning any specific legitimate concerns about the return parade along the Garvaghy Road.They continually wished to discuss other issues such as the murders of Rosemary Nelson and Robert Hamill and were simply told by the Portadown District representatives that those issues were really for local politicians , local councillors or others to deal with.

e) In the days leading up to the proposed return parade on 4th July 1999 Portadown District representatives had extensive meetings with the Prime Minister and others.Throughout they made genuine efforts to try to seek a peaceful return parade.They also understood that the Prime Minister , Jonathan Powell and David Trimble made strenuous efforts directly with the GRRC to try to find a solution to the problem.They believe that the only reponse was again to make it clear that there will be no Orange feet on the Garvaghy Road.

2. On the 9th August 1999 Richard Monteith , a legal representative for Portadown District had his first meeting with the Parades Commission and outlined the position on behalf of Portadown District.

3.On the 20th August 1999 George Howarth met representatives of Portadown District and indicated that he was commencing a new process designed at solving the problem.It was envisaged that a series of meetings would be set up in the week commencing 23rd August 1999 at which the political and legal representatives of Portadown District would meet face to face with the GRRC.

4.However the first meeting actually took place on the 24th September 1999 when Richard Monteith , solicitor , David McNarry , local concillor and David Campbell , chief of staff for the First Minister David Trimble , all represented Portadown District in face to face discussions with the GRRC.This was under the chairmanship of Adam Ingram.The minutes have already been supplied to the Parades Commission although this has always been without the approval of the GRRC.A second meeting took place on the 30th September 1999 when most of the meeting was actually taken up by discussions about the minutes and the refusal of the GRRC to permit any observers to attend from the Parades Commission.The final meeting took place on the on Tuesday 12th October 1999 at Stormont when the GRRC advised Adam Ingram that they could not negotiate whatsoever in relation to a parade along the Garvaghy Road.They demanded an adjournment and to see Adam Ingram privately.Almost two hours later the Portadown delegation was advised by Adam Ingram that the GRRC no longer accepted him or any other Government Minister as a chairman of these or any other future discussions.It was therefore not possible to reach an agreement on the complex and sensitive issues involved in the Drumcree problem.As a result the GRRC ceased all contact or discussions with our representatives.

5.Portadown District representatives had anticipated the stance taken on the 12th October and they have continued since that date to attempt to engage with those that are prepared to meet them to try to find a resolution to the Drumcree problem.In particular they have met the following:- 9th December 1999 , Brian Currin ; 27th January 2000 , Secretary of State and Jonathan Powell ; 31st January , Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission ; 4th April , Secretary of State ; 12th April , Brian Currin ; 27th April , Richard Monteith , solicitor met the Parades Commission ; 2nd May , Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland ; 18th May , Richard Monteith met Brian Currin ; 7th June , 2000 pre-mediation talks with Brian Currin.

6.Portadown District representatives have attempted to speak to all parties , apart from direct face to face negotiations with the GRRC throughout the period since July 1998.They have attempted on all occasions to deal with the one issue that is directly relevant to them namely the question of Orange Parades in Portadown and in particular the return parade along the Garvaghy Road from Drumcree Parish Church.They have not prevaricated with those they have met , nor declined any meeting or effort to try to move the situation forward.However Portadown District would contend that there is no attempt being made to reach any locol accommodation by the representatives from the GRRC and they are content to simply veto any future parade.

7.The pre-mediation talks with Brian Currin were positive and helpful.Brian Currin had a list of over 20 items which needed clarification from both the GRRC and Portadown District to try to establish some ground rules for a mediation process.There remain some substantial areas of disagreement between the parties but as far as the Portadown District are concerned they will endeavour to overcome these areas and to move forward into full mediation.It is envisaged this process will not re-commence until after the July 2000 with the time scale stretching into Easter 2001.Portadown District representatives will approach this process in the same way as they have all other processes as outlined.It is believed that the GRRC will raise many issues in this process apart from Orange Parades and an attempt will be made in establishing ground rules for mediation to see how these other issues can be handled to try to have the GRRC focus on the issues of direct relevance to Portadown District.The British Government is a third party to Currins mediation process and that may allow the GRRC to take up other matters directly with the Government.

8.On behalf of Portadown District LOL No. 1 would give the following pledges in the event of a parade being permitted by Portadown District LOL No. 1 from the Drumcree Parish Church via the Garvaghy Road to Carleton Street Orange Hall on 9th July 2000:-

(i)To immediately cancel all rallies , protests , parades and other related activities which have been notified or planned.There will be no further protests or associated events concerning the Drumcree issue as the cause of the protest from July 1998 will have been effectively removed.

(ii)To continue to engage in the premediation process set up by Brian Currin with a view to moving to full mediation and an attempt to resolve the parades issue for 2001 and all future years.

(iii)To continue to publicly urge that all issues surrounding the Drumcree parades dispute be resolved peacefully and without re-course to violence of any kind.

(iv)To have Portadown District LoL No. 1 Representatives take part in any Civic Forum established assuming that Orange Representatives are invited to attend.

(v)The parade while it passes from Drumcree Church to Shillingtons Bridge will be limited to Orangemen from Portadown District LOL No. 1 Bands or Orangemen from other areas will not be permitted to take part.

PORTADOWN DISTRICT LOL No 1

List of meetings

Dates

050798 Morning Worship at Drumcree Parish Church.

060798 Meeting with RUC Chief Constable-Belfast

090798 County Officersmeet with Prime Minister-London

100798 Meeting with G7 leaders-Belfast

110798 Proximity talks-Armagh

180798 Proximity talks-Armagh

210798 Proximity talks-Armagh

120898 Bilateral talks-Portadown

180998 Bilateral talks-Portadown

230998 Meeting with first minister designate-Belfast

151098 Meeting with local clergy-Portadown

171098 Bilateral talks-Portadown

211098 Meeting with G7 leaders- Portadown

121198 Meeting with Archbishop Eames-Armagh

201198 Meeting with Archbishop Eames and Brady-Armagh

231198 Meeting with Prime Minister-London

251198 Meeting with local clergy-Portadown

021298 Meeting with local traders-Craigavon

081298 Meeting with Portadown 2000

161298 Proximity talks-Nutts Corner

311298 Meeting with Co Armagh Grand Lodge Officers-Portadown

050299 Moldovian Conflict Resolution team-Belfast

110299 Moldovian Conflict Resolution team-Belfast

130299 Church of Ireland Standing Committee-Armagh

160299 Meeting with the First Minister Designate and local Councillors-Belfast

170299 Meeting with Roy Magee , Chris Gibson and Ian Milne-Portadown

180299 Meeting with Frank Blair-ACAS Scotland

150399 Meeting with Roy Magee , Chris Gribson and Ian Milne-Portadown

230399 Meeting with Moderator Designate-Lurgan

250399 Special meeting of Portadown District-Portadown

270399 Grand Lodge of Ireland meeting-Belfast

290399 Cultural Evening Waterfront Hall , Belfast

300399 Meeting Prime Minister Hillborough Frank Blair Initative-Portadown Cultural Evening Waterfront Hall , Belfast

310399 Frank Blair Initative-Portadown

160499 Meeting with the First Minister Designate -Moria

200499 Meeting with the First Ministers Chief of Staff-Moria

260499 Meeting with Grand Masters advisory Committee-Belfast

270499 Special meeting , GOL , Portadown

030599 Church and Government Committee-Presbyterian Church-Portadown

120599 Meeting with the First Minister Designate Moria

140599 Meeting with Co Armagh Grand Lodge Officers-Portadown

180599 Special meeting of Portadown District-Portadown

210599 Meeting with the First Minister Designate Moria

260599 Meeting with Grand Masters Advisory , Strategy Committee , Belfast

010699 Meeting with the First Minister Designate Moria

020699 Grand Lodge of Ireland meeting- Londonderry

040699 Proximity talks-Belfast

050699 Proximity talks-Belfast

150699 Meeting with Prime Minister-Belfast Meeting with PR consultants-Belfast

170699 Proximity talks-Belfast

250699 Meeting with Rev. Pickering-Portadown

260699 Meeting with the First Minister Designate Moria

270699 Meeting with the First Minister Designate-Belfast Meeting with Prime Minister Chief of Staff- Belfast

280699 Meetings with the Prime Minister-Belfast

300699 Meetings with the Prime Minister-Belfast

020799 Meetings with the Prime Minister-Belfast

030799 Press briefing Breakfast-Craigavon

040799 Morning Worship at Drumcree Parish Church

080799 Meeting with the Prime Minister-London

110799 Meeting with Ruth Dudley Edwards-Clougher

150799 Meeting with the First Ministers Chief of Staff-Moria

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