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

Debate contribution by Mr Stewart Dickson on 22 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Stewart Dickson
Party at the time: Alliance Party
Date: 22 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Display of Flags and Emblems Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5739549

Text

I do not want to press too hard on the point, but, in the debate, we have not heard from any side of the House — certainly not from one side — what the alternative to the Bill is; indeed, Ms Sugden should also address that. There is a clear requirement from the community that we deal with this as a societal matter in Northern Ireland, but we hear no alternatives.
That is why it is important that we not only commend Paula's work to deliver the Bill to its Second Stage but ensure that it passes Second Stage and moves to Committee Stage, where many of the detailed questions posed by you and others can be addressed and where we can invite all the appropriate organisations to make their views on the Bill known, so that we can dig down into it, and, yes, cost will be part of that as well.

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

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