The Parades Commission has ruled that a loyalist parade can pass a sectarian flashpoint at Ardoyne on its way back from the main Orange demonstrations in Belfast on July 12th.
The commission's determination follows a failure of nationalist residents and representatives of the Loyal Orders to secure agreement in the manner they did last month for the controversial Tour of the North parade in Belfast.
A limited parade is to be allowed past Ardoyne but no music is to be played, the commission has ordered. No supporters will be allowed and they will be transferred by bus past the contentious area.
Commission chairman Roger Poole said the body "very much regrets the fact that it has been required to issue a determination on the return parade and its associated protest".
He added: "We had hoped that following the success of dialogue surrounding the Tour of the North parade on June 16th and the nature and extent of dialogue that has gone on since, we might be in a position to minimise the commission's involvement."
Mr Poole said a "comprehensive understanding" on the return parade on July 12th has not been possible. Therefore, the commission had sought to "strike a balance between the rights of those who seek to express their cultural traditions in this area and those who object to such expression".
In coming to its decision, the commission said it was mindful of the difficulties caused by the presence of parade supporters on this route in the past and the violent attack on the parade that took place in this area in 2005.
Mr Poole praised those who had worked for a resolution. "On behalf of the entire commission I commend those community representatives who have shown courage and leadership in the negotiations to date and I remain confident that such negotiation remains the only way to ensure long-term stability and mutual respect in this area," he said.
