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

Debate contribution by Mr John Stewart on 14 September 2026.

MLA: Mr John Stewart
Party at the time: Ulster 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 5686433

Text

I thank the Member for giving way, and I agree with everything that he has said tonight. Regardless of the bureaucratic nightmare and the new flags commission that it would create, he has rightly talked about the cost. We have seen some examples in recent months. Birmingham City Council has spent £2·6 million on taking down flags. About 12 other local authorities in England have spent millions of pounds between them on taking down flags. Those flags are in non-controversial areas. Their removal does not require contractors, a police presence and everything else that would go with it. The sheer cost would be in the tens of millions of pounds here. I do not think that the Bill sponsor has even thought that through. It would be interesting to hear at some stage what the anticipated costs are.

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

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