"Now we have seen a constructive and welcome move from the localOrange Order in Portadown saying that they will engage with the Parades Commission and with local residents, something which hitherto they have absolutely refused to do, " he said.
The local lodge of the Orange Order will not talk to the Parades Commission, which was set up to arbitrate on such contentious marches, and will not talk to the Garvaghy Road residents because they say they are led by former republican prisoners.
In part the success was explained by his high-profile role during a stand-off in Drumcree between members of the Protestant Orange Order and local Catholic residents.