Stormont Tricolour flag to be debated

Published Wednesday, 11 April 2012
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A Northern Ireland Assembly committee will discuss whether the Tricolour should fly alongside the Union Flag at Stormont as part of a debate on good relations.

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UTV NEWS POLL

How do you think Stormont should resolve the flags debate?
How do you think Stormont should resolve the flags debate?



It will be the first time the issue has been debated at the Assembly.

No fixed date for the meeting has yet been set, however it could take place in the coming weeks.

Nationalist politicians have welcomed the news, while unionists are adamant the Irish national flag will not be flown.

Sinn Féin's Barry McElduff told UTV: "Institutional reflection of your identity is important and people are asking why it is necessary to fly the British union flag 12 days a year.

"It creates an unwelcoming atmosphere not just for visitors but for staff as well, so it is a legitimate point to raise but not the only item on the agenda."

The DUP's Peter Weir told UTV: "I think this is a degree of kite-flying, of gesture politics in particular by Sinn Féin to appease their supporters.

"At the Assembly, basically anyone can put forward any proposition on any subject so simply the fact that someone has raised this issue is not of itself significant.

"Unfortunately this is more likely to damage good relations than to build them which is supposed to be the object of this exercise."

The Assembly Commission, the body which is responsible for the running of Parliament Buildings in Belfast, said it has not yet considered the proposal to fly the Irish national flag.

However it says the issue can be raised during a future meeting on good relations between nationalist and unionist communities in Northern Ireland.

The commission told UTV: "The Assembly Commission has not given consideration to the flying of the Irish national flag, nor is it on the agenda for any future commission meeting.

"The commission has agreed to have a future meeting specifically to consider good relations issues and members will be free to raise any related issues.

"The Assembly Commission is designated as a public authority under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (the Act) and under Section 75 (2) of the act, the commission has a statutory duty to have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group."

It is understood the commission, which includes one MLA from each of the five largest parties, will seek to reach an agreement over the flags issue.

It could result in a proposal going out towards the Assembly's business committee and then before MLAs - however, with 54 unionist votes against a combined 43 from Sinn Féin and the SDLP, a motion in favour of the Tricolour would likely be defeated.

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456 Comments
T. Jackson in Belfast wrote (124 days ago):
Northern Ireland is British until the people decide otherwise that is a fact. It can be assumed that Sinn Fein and SDLP members in the Belfast City Council have all got Irish passports and obviously consider themselves as Irish nationals. I therefore don't understand how, they are allowed to make a decision to take down the Union flag against the will of the majority of the people who are British citizens living in a British country, Northern Ireland. It is absurd and would not be tolerated in any other country in the world. My friends and I go to Dublin for the 6 Nations rugby and we stand for the national anthem and show respect for their country and it is obvious from comments of people from the Republic that they don't want Sinn Fein in their government,they are not interested in a united Ireland. They can't afford it, they don't want the trouble it would cause. That too is a fact. Be careful what you wish for is the message.
Daoine in Derry wrote (129 days ago):
I think the union jack is as important to one section of the community as the tricolour is to the other. Both flags representent the deeply held beliefs and national identity of both communities. Whether we like it or not this small piece of land is inhabitated by people who identify with britain and people who identify with ireland, you cannot shout that your national identity is being attacked and at the same time dismiss as unimportant the national identity of neighbour. Either fly both flags every day or no flags at all. And consider this, if this ridiculus situation is allowed to continue you may well create a situation whereby nationalist start demanding their flag is flown every day and then where will we be....it's very disheartening to watch this all played out in front of the world...
william in Belfast wrote (169 days ago):
Sinn Fein and Republicans say they want democracy. So do most people living in Northern Ireland therefore I have a great idea - why don't we have a democratic vote of all eligible people living in Northern Ireland asking as to whether or not the Union flag should be flown, not flown, flown only on designated days. That would be democracy in action. We all know the majority of people would want it flown at all times. Sinn Fein only want their type of 'democracy' bombs and bullets.
Mabe in Belfast wrote (173 days ago):
I think considering we are still part of the u k we should be able to fly the union flag. I would like to live in this part of Britain in peace and without annoyance. If we ever become part of southern Ireland then fly the tricolour . I would not complain. Until then give the people who feel an allegiance with. Britain some peace and respect. I thought that was what the good Friday agreement was about.
Robert Donaldson in Enniskillen wrote (176 days ago):
Keep the UNION FLAG flying over the city hall
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