Opinion

Hoping for a Twelfth that passes without incident

It is notable that the lead up to this year's Twelfth has not been marked by the heightened tensions and threat of violence that have been a feature of recent times and for that we must be thankful.

Yes, there has been alarm over the flying of flags in mixed areas and concerns over the safety of towering bonfires built close to homes and businesses, but overall there has been a noticeable stepping back from the sort of inflammatory rhetoric that has been evident in the past.

That is not to say that everything is perfect but there are signs of progress.

Loyalist reaction to the unexpected legal move by Belfast City Council at the end of last week is a case in point.

Not too long ago, any attempt to impose restrictions on people engaged in building bonfires would have resulted in protests and street disorder.

However, this did not happen in the days following the council's unprecedented court injunction and that can only be viewed as a positive development.

After the disastrous flag protests, there may be a realisation that whipping up discontent and encouraging people onto the streets is entirely counter-productive.

Certainly, the protracted protest at Camp Twaddell, which placed an enormous burden on policing resources and cost the public purse around £20 million, did not reflect well on the Orange Order.

The fact that a resolution was finally reached in that prolonged dispute in October last year has helped to reduce tensions at this flashpoint ahead of today's march and we must be grateful to community figures who worked to find an agreed outcome to this difficult situation.

What everyone across Northern Ireland will be hoping is that today passes off without any disturbances whatsoever.

That would be the best outcome for all as we work towards a more peaceful society where differences can be addressed without resort to violence.

Any small steps that move us in the right direction must be welcomed.