There have been calls for the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin to meet with Garvaghy Road residents as the Drumcree dispute continues.
On Thursday, Portadown Orange District said on social media that the Parades Commission had appointed a surprise mediation facilitator for the dispute.
Sinn Féin MLA John 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.
Portadown District said it had confirmed their readiness to commence the mediation process as a matter of urgency without any preconditions.
The Parades Commission said it “has appointed a mediation company to progress mediation in relation to the Drumcree parading dispute”.
“Both parties to the dispute were informed of this at the same time.”