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24 September 2014

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Video: Rewarding negative unionism 'counter-productive', says Gerry Kelly MLA

Unionists are demanding a "panel of inquiry" into parading issues before returning to talks

COMPREHENSIVE talks involving all political parties, the Irish and British governments and US representatives should begin immediately to move the political process forward in the North, Sinn Féin Policing and Justice Spokesperson Gerry Kelly MLA has said.

The North Belfast MLA was speaking following a meeting with the British Secretary of State Theresa Villiers.

He told reporters at Assembly buildings that there is an urgent need for negotiations on all the issues currently frustrating political progress in the North.

Unionists parties walked-out of talks dealing with flags, parades, and legacy issues in July after the return-leg of a controversial  Orange parade past the mainly nationalist Ardoyne area was not permitted by the Parades Commission.

Unionists are now demanding a "panel of inquiry" into parading issues before returning to talks.

Gerry Kelly warned Theresa Villiers against agreeing to such an ultimatum.

He said the establishment of such a panel would undermine the Parades Commission.

"If Theresa Villiers wants to encourage dialogue on parading then the last thing she should do is to reward unionist, loyalist and Orange negativity and intransigence by giving in to their ultimatum for an inquiry into parading in north Belfast," he said.

"It would be entirely counter-productive for the British government to reward this negativity."

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