The Taoiseach has stated that a recent Belfast High Court judgment on the annual Orange Order parade at Drumcree in Portadown is not an endorsement of the parade taking place.

Micheál Martin told the Dáil that the court's decision, which quashed a Parades Commission ruling that had imposed restrictions on the parade, was based on procedural grounds. He noted that the case hinged on the commission's determination not being considered in its final form by all members.

The issue was raised by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, who highlighted an application by the Orange Order to march along Garvaghy Road on September 27th. Residents in the area have not seen an Orange Order march for 28 years.

McDonald said the application reopens a situation that caused years of deep confrontation, fear and trauma for the Garvaghy Road community. She noted that 21 sectarian murders have been linked to the long-running parades dispute, including the deaths of three children in a petrol-bomb attack in Ballymoney in 1998.

The Parades Commission has blocked the parade each July since 1998. The High Court's decision came after a legal challenge, but Martin stressed that it does not mean the parade can go ahead without further scrutiny.

Martin said he had received a letter from the Garvaghy Road residents' coalition on Wednesday. He said the Government is keeping the situation under constant review and is conscious of residents' concerns.

McDonald said she had written to the Taoiseach, as had local MLA and Northern Ireland Finance Minister John O'Dowd. She asked Martin to listen to the Garvaghy Road community directly, either by travelling there or receiving them in Dublin before the proposed date.

Martin said he has a strong personal recollection of the difficult history of the issue and that it will be kept under constant review.