The Orange Order raised the possibility that it would not notify the Parades Commission of parades during the forthcoming marching season.
Stewart Dickson MLA said: “The law is clear. Those who organise or participate in a parade that has not been notified through the appropriate channels are committing an offence.
“We cannot allow the law to be flouted in Northern Ireland. It must be made clear to those who propose to ignore the notification requirements that they face prosecution. Otherwise we risk setting a very dangerous precedent that will make it much more difficult to manage parading.
“Inflammatory statements made in recent weeks have not helped matters. I would therefore encourage all relevant groups to sit down together and negotiate an agreed way forward.
“Talking is the only way we are going to resolve these issues.”
ENDS