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

Debate contribution by Mr John Stewart on 22 September 2026.

MLA: Mr John Stewart
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist 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 5739928

Text

I thank the Member for giving way. She makes some really valid points. We have seen in the past couple of weeks that, because of threats to their safety, even prison officers are not able to go into some areas. Do we really believe that we will see a situation in which we send in hard-working DFI staff, potentially with contractors, at the cost of dear knows how many thousands of pounds, who will request but have no guarantee of getting police support, to take down flags only for dozens to go up thereafter? What will happen is that the low-hanging fruit, such as the flag of our country, will come down, while the paramilitary ones, which are the most difficult to get to, will sit there for eternity, because no one can go near them as a result of threats.

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

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