Debate contribution: Display of Flags and Emblems Bill: Second Stage
Debate contribution by Mr Peter McReynolds on .
- MLA
- Mr Peter McReynolds
- Party at the time
- Alliance Party
- Date
- 14 September 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Private Members' Business
- Heading
- Display of Flags and Emblems Bill: Second Stage
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5686154
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I will start again. Let the record show that residents on the street mentioned are overwhelmingly against the flags that have been erected there for the first time since 2022. Dialogue was sought with those who put them up. None live in the immediate area, and people were told that, if Union flags were not erected, others would step in and the flags would be worse. Following on from the conversation with Mr Brooks, I spoke with the residents yesterday and informed them about today's debate. I sent them a screenshot of Mr Brooks's comments from last week. They said in response:
"The vast majority of the street object to them going up. We dislike we don’t have a voice and the moment you object you feel threatened and are dealt vague threats that, and I quote, 'they are only union flags it could be much worse'."
The Bill will give them that voice. I welcome the Display of Flags and Emblems Bill, and I welcome the fact that the Alliance Party is once again prioritising residents across Northern Ireland who want nothing —.
Yes.
I am not aware of what would happen in the specific, hypothetical example that you posed just now. It is about having knowledge, awareness and clarity for residents, which they do not have at present.
No. I will not give way again. Across Northern Ireland, people want nothing more than to be respected in the local communities where they have chosen to make their home. That is crucial if we are to create a shared and respectful society for all. I look forward to working on the Bill in Committee, should it pass Second Stage.
286 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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