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.
As I have just outlined, the flag in that case would be in the compound owned or controlled by a public authority or private business. A council could therefore erect a flag on their grounds, but the only authority that has ownership over the lighting columns is the Department. Councils do not have the authority to…
If a public authority such as a council were to decide to display a flag that I do not like along the whole of Royal Avenue or around Donegall Square, by the look of things, I would have no redress to challenge that.
I thank the Member for his intervention. I am sure that the Bill sponsor will address those points when she is on her feet. All of that is caveated by the fact that clause 1(7) states: "This section does not apply in respect of a flag or emblem that is displayed by a public authority." I was deeply offended when…
Bringing it back to the real world, I will give the example of Cullybackey. The Bill states: "The Department may regard the following as a sensitive place— (a) a place where public services are provided". We can read further down the Bill and see that it lists a school. Public authorities are exempt and can fly the…
OK, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I take that point. However, a lot of this detail adds to the principles. I will not ask the Bill sponsor to intervene on every question that I raise, but maybe she will address some of them when she is summing up. Clause 1(4)(e) states: "whether the flag or emblem is displayed for…
The Member raises a very valid point in her intervention. I really welcome the intervention by the Bill sponsor, because I missed that the last time that I was speaking. The Bill sponsor talks about the detail of the Bill. Clause 1(4)(d) states: "whether the flag or emblem has been displayed for an excessive period of…
The Member touches on a very important point. I have a concern about the word "vicinity" as well, because that is not defined in the legislation. I struggle with this, and I wonder whether it is just an outright ban on flags, because, when you look at clause 2, you see that there are very few places where you can fly…
I thank the Member. You will be aware that I have included billboards on public property. They are included. As my colleague Andrew McMurray said in the debate, we want to see consistency in approach. Whether it is a Sinn Féin billboard in a certain area or any other billboard, we just want to see consistency. On the…
I thank the Member for that intervention and for putting me right in that case. However, here is the truth: those in law-abiding areas will try to adhere to any regulations or laws that are placed upon them, but there are areas of this country where you cannot even collect TV licence money or take planning enforcement…
FlaggedDecided on a second assessment.Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials
First, that is not what is in the Bill. The only penalty, the only fine and the only offence in my Bill is where somebody seeks to "obstruct" removal. As I said, under the Roads Order, if somebody puts something up, they can be fined. Existing legislation says that, but my legislation does not, so please do not…
The Member makes a valid point, because he lives in the real world. We can have all the text that we want on a blue page, but, if it is unenforceable and unachievable, we will have legislation that is not worth the blue paper that it is printed on. That is the issue. The Member is right: law-abiding communities — the…