A community worker and mediator was appointed to the Parades Commission in Northern Ireland today.
Edwin Graham takes up post on August 1st and will help adjudicate on controversial marches.
An upsurge in violence on July 13th saw dozens of police officers injured in clashes with republicans in Ardoyne, north Belfast, following an Orange Order parade through the area.
Northern Ireland secretary Shaun Woodward said: "The Parades Commission plays an important role in our society and Mr Graham's experience and perspective will be a welcome addition to the organisation.
"Mr Graham is well qualified for the post and I am confident that he will make a valuable contribution to the work of the team.
"The Parades Commission continues its important work and remains the final arbiter in parades matters. I encourage all communities in Northern Ireland to engage openly with the Commission."
Mr Graham spent his career as a community worker and is involved with all sections of society. He has several roles in the public and voluntary sectors and had worked as an authorised officer for the Commission to try to understand grassroots concerns and find a consensus.
He will be employed at the Commission until December 2009 and earn £19,000 a year for two days a week.
Rena Shepherd replaced Roger Poole as chairman of the Commission on July 20th.
PA