Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has asked the Taoiseach Micheál Martin to visit the Garvaghy Road and speak to residents about the Drumcree dispute.
O’Dowd said he was concerned there had been no visible engagement from the Irish Government on the issue.
The earliest date for a decision by the Parades Commission on the planned Drumcree march by Portadown Orange Order is 23 September – four days before the scheduled parade.
The route the Order hopes to take – including the mainly-nationalist Garvaghy Road – has been published on Parades Commission website, external.
The taoiseach’s office has been contacted for a response.
On Thursday Portadown Orange District said on social media that the Parades Commission have appointed a surprise mediation facilitator.
Portadown District said it had confirmed their readiness to commence the mediation process as a matter of urgency without any preconditions.
The Parades Commission has been contacted for comment.
