Respect for the Orange Order

At the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis in Wexford in February Gerry Adams said, 'Treat Orangemen with respect.'

Then last week in the Northern Ireland Assembly Sinn Fein members supported a motion calling for 'tolerance and respect' in relation to parades and protests.

But actions speak louder than words and once again republicans have failed to deliver.

It would only take six minutes of tolerance and respect from republicans for them to withdraw their opposition to a return parade by the three Orange lodges and the band on the Crumlin Road.  Sadly it seems this is beyond them and it seems their words are hollow.

During the debate I asked if it was too much to ask for a few minutes of respect and tolerance.  It seems that it is.