The British government has announced it is extending the powers of the Parades Commission in the North.
Northern Ireland Office Security Minister Ian Pearson said the commission would soon be able to rule on the actions of parade supporters and protests in relation to parades.
The extension to existing legislation will be in place by the end of March and available to apply to parades and protests after May 14th.
DUP North Belfast MP Mr Nigel Dodds
Mr Pearson said he been persuaded following a report on parades following a review by Sir George Quigley and another report by MPs on the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee that a case had not been made for fundamental changes to parading arrangements.
But he said he had been persuaded by the two reports that "the time is right for the Parades Commission to take on the function of considering protests related to parades."
Doubts had been raised about the Commission's remit in relation to supporters and Mr Pearson wanted to make the position clear ahead of the summer, said the Northern Ireland Office.
The Democratic Unionist Party, North Belfast MP, Mr Nigel Dodds, said the Commission should be scrapped not given extra powers. He said he had already expressed his "extreme anger" to Mr Pearson.
"It is a sneaky piece of legislation, it is arrogant and high handed. What they should be doing is scrapping the Parades Commission, not giving it more powers."
However, the SDLP welcomed the proposals. The party's policing spokesman, Mr Alex Attwood, said: "The events of last July whereby supporters of an Orange parade were able to drive a coach and horses through the authority of the Parades Commission was intolerable.
"The new order gives to the Parades Commission the power to impose conditions over any person 'organising, taking part in or supporting a public prosecution' which includes all Orange marches.
"This is the right approach. This is good for policing. This will help community relations," he said.