Every imported question, contribution and motion, with its classification. Unflagged, uncertain and not-yet-analysed records are all included so the analysis can be checked independently.
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I just want clarity. Obviously, there has been an attempt from the Alliance Party to close down a legitimate debate on a private Member's Bill. Can I seek guidance from the Speaker? It is important that the House hears from the Minister responsible, as the Bill mandates her Department…
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Bill sponsor said that she is willing to come back on all the points that have been made. I find that hard to believe, because the Bill sponsor has sat there for two days and has not taken any notes. I do not know how the Bill sponsor plans to come back to all the individual…
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I appreciate that, and I have an extensive summation. However, if the Bill passes the Second Stage, I am happy to engage with the Infrastructure Committee on the points that have been raised. I am content for the Question to be put. The Deputy Speakers who have sat in the Chair over…
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. We are now on day 3 of the debate, and every party has had more than ample opportunity to express their views on the legislation. In line with Standing Order 25, I move that the Question now be put
The Member has highlighted a point about the Bill. The Bill is ambiguous and open to interpretation, and there is nothing definitive about it. What is "offensive"? Can someone define "offensive" for me?
Surely the Member can agree with the rest of us about what constitutes good community conduct or opinions? It is clear from the Bill that most if not all of those in the Alliance Party are offended by the Union flag. There is no exception for the Union flag in the Bill. As you said in your introduction, we all have…
FlaggedFlags, emblems, symbols, names and memorialsCriteria met: Identity framing, Cultural grievance politics, Dog-whistle messaging, Controversy escalation.
I will try to address the Bill in a common-sense way. The intention may be worthwhile. Nobody should have to live under the shadow of a terrorist organisation. I certainly do not defend the display of flags or emblems belonging to proscribed organisations where they are being used to threaten or intimidate. However,…
I thank the Members for their interventions. It states, "as appear to the Department". I come back to my previous point: who is "the Department"? Is it a front-line member of staff, a senior civil servant or the Minister who is sitting in the role at that point? Why is it up to the Department for Infrastructure to…
FlaggedFlags, emblems, symbols, names and memorialsCriteria met: Cultural grievance politics, Dog-whistle messaging, Controversy escalation.
I thank the Member again for being so generous in giving way. The Bill states that DFI may consult such other person as it considers appropriate: therein lies the problem. That leaves those in communities depending on departmental discretion.
I thank the Member for giving way. The Bill sponsor's previous intervention proves that the Orange Order, the largest institution involved with the orders, has been left out. Why should it be down to a Committee? If the sponsor's intention was to tackle the issue, you would have thought that she would have gone to the…
FlaggedFlags, emblems, symbols, names and memorialsCriteria met: Identity framing, Cultural grievance politics, Controversy escalation.
I thank the Member for giving way. This is about the code of practice and those who have statutory responsibilities. I had thought about adding — you will see this written in pen — the Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British Tradition and the Irish Language Commissioner to the list. On the point about…
I agree with him. That is exactly the point that I was making. You have listed all the bodies, but there is no mention not just of the Orange Order but of community groups, sporting organisations or anything else from any part of the community. There is no provision for community consultation to play an active part,…
I thank the Member for giving way. Do you not think that there is a missed opportunity, given the bodies that are listed? At no time is there to be consultation with the Orange Order or any of the other unionist cultural organisations that will fly the national flag for a number of years. What that says to me is that…
FlaggedFlags, emblems, symbols, names and memorialsCriteria met: Identity framing, Cultural grievance politics, Dog-whistle messaging, Controversy escalation.
I thank the Member for giving way. In the examples that I gave when talking about community relations in my constituency, what happened went unsaid, and it all passed off peacefully. By having the portal, would we be recreating the system that the Parades Commission uses, whereby it writes to individuals? Would we be…
I thank the Member for that, but she is misinterpreting the point. We should look at it from the wider perspective of the PSNI's role and the other issues involved. There were some serious crimes committed in my constituency over the weekend, and I have just come from a meeting of the all-party group (APG) on domestic…
I thank the Member. The police agreed that they would support the contractors in taking down the recent flag at the bottom of the Lisburn Road and Sandy Row, so the police are willing to provide support. The fundamental point, however, is this: why are we giving cover by saying that, because it is too difficult a…