Debate contribution: Display of Flags and Emblems Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Trevor Clarke on 14 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Trevor Clarke
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist 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 5686356

Text

My reading of the Bill, unless I am wrong, is that there is no exemption for the place of worship or the school that decides to fly the flag, because clause 2(1) states:
"The Department may regard the following as a sensitive place—".
You can presume that to mean outside those places, but it is not specific, so a flag could also be displayed inside at their choice, and someone on the outside could be offended by that. That is the point that I am making.

86 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Awaiting analysis

This record has not been analysed yet. It is not counted in any total until it has been assessed.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reviews every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification