Debate contribution: Bonfire Regulation

Debate contribution by Mr Stewart Dickson on 16 September 2025.

MLA

Mr Stewart Dickson

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

16 September 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Bonfire Regulation

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5111517

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Perhaps, I can paint a slightly different picture of where the Alliance Party is coming from in respect of the matters. The Alliance Party has been clear: we recognise the wish of those who want to celebrate their culture with bonfires. At best, bonfires can be a genuine celebration of culture, history and community spirit. They can be opportunities for people to come together to mark that tradition and enjoy an event. However, celebration should never come at the expense of respect, safety or the law. The Alliance Party believes that all bonfires across Northern Ireland must meet those three clear principles: all bonfires must be respectful, safe and lawful. That is a reasonable ask of anyone. First, bonfires need to be respectful. Sadly, this summer, too many were anything but that. We saw sickening displays of effigies of political leaders, election posters of me, my party colleagues and many others in the Chamber and even grotesque racist imagery. In July, a bonfire in Moygashel was used to display and burn an effigy of a migrant boat complete with life-sized, dark-skinned mannequins in life jackets. That was not a celebration of culture; it was a blatant act of racism and hatred. Such displays have no place in any society, let alone a shared one. Secondly, bonfires must be safe. I cannot stress that enough. That is not just about fire safety, although that is critical; it is about protecting nearby homes, businesses, electricity substations and even hospitals. Just this summer, a bonfire in south Belfast that was built alarmingly close to an electricity substation put the supply to two major hospitals under threat. I was a patient in Belfast City Hospital on the day of that fire, and my outpatient appointment had to be transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital because the City Hospital was under threat as a result of concerns about that substation. That is not just reckless; it is indefensible. We must remember the tragic loss of John Steele, who fell 50 ft to his death from a bonfire in Larne. The safest way forward is to replace the traditional bonfire structure with a prepared beacon, a purpose-built structure that would be safely —.

Yes, I will.

I recognise that children and young people get involved in the collection of wood. That includes vandalising trees and pulling apart pallets and things like that.

When that includes vandalising trees, pulling apart pallets and doing things like that, then I do not agree with you. Where I do agree with you —.

Stop shouting "Shame" at me. I agree with you that it is appropriate for young people to collect bonfire material, but let us try and move on to beacons.

We are also faced with the problem of toxic fumes from unregulated collected material. Contaminants, even including asbestos, from material such as tyres and plastic often find their way into bonfires, releasing dangerous pollutants into the air. Yes, the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition has been clear on this: bonfire materials should be "wood only" or beacon-style. That is what we need.

Bonfires need to be lawful. Permission from the landowner needs to be granted. Far too many bonfires are erected each year without the consent of the landowner. In my constituency of East Antrim, some bonfires are regarded as being traditional because of their location, but, in reality, permission has never been sought or granted. That not only undermines the rule of law but places the landowner at risk of legal liability. Bonfire organisers who are genuinely proud of demonstrating their culture and who want to produce a responsible bonfire should show respect for the rights of others and ensure that they operate within the law. Let me be clear: bonfires should never be platforms for sectarianism, racism or intimidation. They should not be used to threaten neighbours, mark territory or spread hate. If the organisers seek recognition of their culture, they must respect the rights and dignity of others. The Alliance Party wants bonfires to be genuine cultural celebrations that are lawful, safe and respectful. Until they reach that standard, they will continue to divide and to pose danger and risk to public health and the environment. In a society that is still healing from conflict, we cannot tolerate that. The Alliance Party and I do not wish to do anything other than provide for respectful, safe and lawful bonfires, regardless of community or tradition. This is a cross-departmental issue that all Departments need to engage in. The motion is just a starting point. We need to move —

— from where we are now —

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

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 13:15 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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