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

Debate contribution by Mr David Brooks on 22 September 2026.

MLA: Mr David Brooks
Party at the time: Democratic 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 5740122

Text

Further to the point that was raised by the Member for North Antrim, not only is there an issue around the administration of the provisions but, as we have said previously, there is the issue of enforcement. We know that, when the police have had to remove controversial bonfires, it has cost hundreds of thousands of pounds per incident. Belfast City Council does not allow us to see how much it costs, but when it brings in masked contractors who are dressed all in black to remove controversial bonfires, again, I suspect that it costs tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of pounds. That is the kind of enforcement that will have to be repeated in every town and village in this country. How much will that cost the Department for Infrastructure?
That is right.

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

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