The discussions were aimed at trying to reduce tensions in the run-up to the marching season.
BBC: Cardiff talks should make Northern Ireland summer 'safer'
It was not only militant loyalists who were responsible for violence during the marching season.
He called on community leaders to play their part in ensuring it was a peaceful marching season.
The climax of the marching season - the celebration of the Battle of the Boyne - was approaching.
Nevertheless, with the height of the marching season just weeks away, any dialogue is probably better than none.
Ordinarily MLAs would have a breathing space around now, with the marching season over, to revisit their proposals.
But Northern Ireland is entering the most tense period of the year - the climax of the loyalist marching season.
Members of Cookstown DPP have been told they will be harassed if any controversial loyal order parades are re-routed during the marching season.
BBC: NEWS | UK | Northern Ireland | Loyalist threat to DPP members
The controversial march is traditionally held on the Sunday before 12 July, which is the main day in the province's Protestant marching season.
Both security and other loyalist sources played it down, although they admitted it heightened tension already building with the start of the annual marching season.
That's why - especially during the summer marching season - flags of all kinds sprout from lamp-posts, trees, private houses and even blocks of flats.
The marching season reaches it peak on 12 July, when thousands of loyal order members parade through towns and cities to mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.
Looking ahead to the summer months - the peak of Northern Ireland's marching season - Mr Osborne said people "must choose what type of summer they want to see this year".
No doubt it will be the course of events through the summer marching season, and in particular the outcome of the Drumcree conflict, which will determine whether this mooted grand coalition of anti-agreement unionists takes off or fails to leave the ground.
Banger, dismissed on his debut against Motherwell earlier in the season, again received his marching orders when referee John Fleming ruled that he had dived having been booked in the first half for handball.
Particularly under the gun this season was Oliver Barker, a Sotheby's contemporary art auctioneer, whose marching orders were to rustle up potential buyers for 253 pieces during a day sale on Wednesday.
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