There has been mixed reaction to the Parades Commission's decision to reroute an Orange Order march away from nationalist areas of north Belfast.
The ruling was announced in a press release by the commission yesterday. "We feel that, on balance, the adverse impact on relationships within the community would be greater if the parade were to proceed through the contested part of the route," the commission said.
Although the parade is permitted to follow most of its proposed route, it is banned from entering the Cliftonville Road-Antrim Road areas.
A spokesman for the organisers, Mr Fraser Agnew, said the violence at the last Tour of the North parade in 1996 was the fault of Sinn Fein activists brought in from outside. "Those who rioted and wrecked two years ago are now being rewarded by the Parades Commission."
He said the unionist community would see this decision as having been influenced by the administration in Dublin.
The Ulster Unionist Party said the decision was "as disappointing as it has been predictable". The UUP regretted the commission was "unable to lift itself above the meanness of the Sinn Fein strategy to exploit community tensions".
Mr Nigel Dodds of the Democratic Unionist Party said the commission had shown its true colours. "It is designed to stop the freedom of expression by Orangemen if there is the slightest opposition from nationalists. Its credibility is shattered," he said.
On the nationalist side, Mr Anthony Barnes of the organisation, Community Response Against Sectarianism, said: "We hope the Orangemen accept this position and can bring themselves to talks with the residents. The decision should have been made weeks ago."
However, the ruling was welcomed by Mr Martin Morgan, a local SDLP councillor, who said it was "the only rational and proper decision that could have been made".
Mr Glyn Roberts of the Alliance Party described the decision as sensible. He called on both sides to avoid any actions or language likely to inflame the situation.
Mr Steven Doran of the Workers' Party said it was a common-sense decision. "People must now sit down and sort this problem out once and for all."
Mr Stephen Cooper of the UK Unionist Party said if nationalists wanted to co-exist in a peaceful society with their Protestant neighbours "they will have to show some tolerance and respect for our culture".