AMIDST the pouting, hyperbole, and shouting from loyalists last week, yet another report emerged regarding the transition of paramilitaries in the north.

The peace process has certainly created an industry with experts popping up on peace-building, conflict resolution, transformational societies, and endless discussions about overcoming sectarianism.

There’s been so much paper wasted on this subject area that a whole rainforest in Brazil has been wiped out.

The sectarian antics of some in the Orange Order and the deliberate agitation of those on the fringes of loyalism in attempting to resurrect parading disputes across the north - alongside the incompetence of the current Parades Commission — demonstrates all too well how fragile the architecture supporting peace actually is and how little it would take to topple Stormont.

Noel Doran: Jeffrey Donaldson’s carefully crafted Christian image was built entirely on lies

Don Mullan: It’s time to talk about King Billy’s links to the slave trade

These are the real issues facing us in real time — not the consideration of professional extortionists, racketeers, loan sharks, and drug dealers masquerading under the misnomer of paramilitaries, who, if they wanted, could have exited decades ago.

The recent unsubstantiated claims by the DUP leader that the PSNI feared dissident republicans may attack Orange marchers or police are neither here nor there, and it is deeply unhelpful for any responsible political leader to make Drumcree or parading about policing.

Policing, as always, is holding the very ground the........

© The Irish News