A FIANNA Fail TD yesterday urged the British government to move the Northern Ireland talks forward and accused the Orange Order of impeding political progress and understanding between nationalists and unionists.
The party's spokesman on North South development, Dr Jim McDaid, was speaking at the annual Liam Lynch Commemoration at Kilcrumper, Fermoy, Co Cork, yesterday.
"The fact that the British government dragged their feet for 17 months of peace was a major contributor to the present situation," the TD for Donegal North East said. "They have a huge responsibility to move ahead, regardless of blocking tactics from one side or the other."
In the wake of the Drumcree standoff it was clear the Orange Order was "still all too anxious to assert domination and ascendancy over their nationalist neighbours," he said.