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Adams in fresh appeal to meet Orange Order

By Jonathan McCambridge
Monday, 29 September 2008

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams

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Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has renewed his appeal for a meeting with the Orange Order.

The latest letter from Mr Adams calling for a meeting with Robert Saulters, the Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, emerged after Mr Saulters revealed he had been in communication with the Sinn Fein leader.

He made the disclosure at a meeting of the Grand Lodge in Cavan on Saturday — the first time it has met in the Republic. Mr Saulters said that Mr Adams wrote to him some months ago requesting information on the Order. Mr Saulters said he replied, sending Mr Adams some literature.

But Mr Adams, who met with Officers of the Portadown District LOL No 1 of Portadown Orangemen earlier this year, last night said he had sent a second letter renewing the request for a meeting.

“It is and always has been the Sinn Fein position that the issue of parading can only be resolved through dialogue between the loyal orders and communities.

“Sinn Fein supports the right of the loyal orders to organise and to hold parades and commemorations. However, where parades are contentious the right to march is conditional on agreement by local residents.

“While Mr Saulters acknowledged receipt of my letter and sent some literature, however he did not agree to meet. Consequently a letter to him in late July again suggested a meeting. I await his response to this request.”

Orange sources have indicated the meeting is unlikely to take place.

About 120 senior Orangemen attended the Co Cavan Orange Hall at the weekend, the Grand Lodge being the governing body, meeting four times a year.

They were welcomed by the Cavan County Grand Master Henry Latimer who said it was a wonderful day for Orangemen in the Republic.

The Orange Order claims it has 50 lodges in nine counties south of the border. One of its biggest parades of the year is held in Rossnowlagh in Co Donegal.

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Check your facts: Protestants make up only 45% of the population of the north of Ireland so they are not a majority.

Posted by ryan | 30.09.08, 18:50 GMT

Maybe McRee should check his facts and his or her history , there never was a green white and gold Tricolour it was a green white and orange Tri-colour.
Facts are facts but really a flag of a foreign country is not important , we might as well talk about the Tri-colour of France , the red,white and blue.
The Ulster Flag and the Union Jack are the flags that I love and bear allegiance to.

Posted by steve douglas | 30.09.08, 14:58 GMT

"However, where parades are contentious the right to march is conditional on agreement by local residents"Adams wishes for Orangemen to parade along non contentious routes. The Portadown parade has been parading for generations should they alter their parade because SOME residents dislike Protestant culture?The downward spiral of such action is that if it was to succeed in routing the parade more "RESIDENCE" groups which are organized by IRA/Sinn Fein will protest all routes with any republicans on them until their are no routes left to march. I ask anyone who disagrees with gay marriage would the government or media give any leverage to organized groups of offended families who are exposed to blatent nudity and perversion?NO so WHY are we giving groups of people who choose to lkive on long standing routes, with connections to terrorist republican elements any leverage. So Gerry stop trying to stiffle Protestant culture and allow the freedom of religion, or move to the republic...

Posted by LoyalCanuck | 29.09.08, 23:32 GMT

"Remember the tri-color. Green white and gold. Maybe all the orange should stop looking through orange tinted glasses and see the real world."

What is this nonsense?? What are you on about? Green, white and GOLD? I was led to believe that it was green, white and orange, although it's not the first time I've heard of the "orange" section of that flag omitted or replaced.

That said, it's of no consequence to me of course, since that flag is irrelevant to me and my country.

Posted by mickey | 29.09.08, 18:36 GMT

Oh I don't know. Since Gerry wants a United Ireland and should be extending the hand of friendship to the majority community in Northern Ireland, perhaps he'll pop on a sash & bowler hat before going on a wee march whilst playing the flute.

That would be a nice gesture.

Posted by mickey | 29.09.08, 16:51 GMT