Sinn Fein said today that dissident republicans are raising tensions in Londonderry ahead of a major loyal order parade in the city.
The Apprentice Boys marching organisation will hold a major parade in Derry on August 14th.
But Sinn Fein highlighted concerns over a so-called "feeder parade", where marchers on their way to Derry will pass the Ardoyne area of north Belfast, which witnessed three days of rioting after an Orange Order parade on July 12th.
Today, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams and North Belfast party colleague Gerry Kelly met the Parades Commission, which rules on parade routes, and said breathing space was required in Ardoyne to ease tensions over marches.
A Sinn Fein delegation led by Mr Adams yesterday held the party's first meeting with the North & West Belfast Parades Forum, including members of the Apprentice Boys, as part of wider talks on the issue of disputed parades.
Today Mr Kelly said: "We think that it (the August 14 march past Ardoyne) should not go down without the Apprentice Boys talking to the residents and that has not happened for some time now.
"These things are being used by certain other groups to 'wind up' the situation. People need space," he said.
He added: "The dissident groups are trying to use these issues." Mr Kelly said he believed dissident republicans opposed to the peace process were also intent on raising tensions in Derry ahead of the annual Apprentice Boys events and he noted today's bomb attack in the city.
"They are trying to wind things up in Derry," he said.
Asked why he objected to the north Belfast feeder parade, which takes place early in the morning by marchers on their way to coaches taking them to Derry, Mr Kelly said it was necessary to ease tensions.
"This is about dialogue and we need the space," he said.
PA