A British government decision to grant more than £100,000 to the Orange Order in Belfast has been condemned.
Alex Maskey, Sinn Féin
The Order, which does not allow Catholic members, is to receive £104,000 to try and change the image of its annual July 12th event.
The North's Social Development Minister David Hanson, who approved an application for funding by the County Grand Lodge of Belfast, said Belfast city centre was about to experience rapid growth in retail, leisure and tourism.
"It is therefore disappointing that during the marching season the city centre and some of the main arterial routes either close down or are abandoned by those who do not feel comfortable with the parades," said Mr Hanson.
Sinn Féin Belfast Assembly member Alex Maskey said: "This is entirely the wrong decision. It is unacceptable that the British government should fund an organisation which continues to force its anti-Catholic parades through Catholic areas."
Mr Maskey added: "The 12th July for many nationalists in Belfast represents domination and sectarian violence."
SDLP north Belfast MLA Alban Maginness said it was "impossible" to see what public benefit will be gained by giving the money to the Order.
"The notion that Orange marches can attract tourists to Belfast is fanciful in the extreme.
"They are already helping tourism, but it is Donegal that gets the benefit every July because so many people - and not just nationalists - dislike the whole ugly atmosphere of intimidation and triumphalism. "The Orange Order is free to compete with other groups for funding for genuine cross-community efforts, but any public money it receives should be absolutely conditional on it learning to respect its neighbours," Mr Maginness added.