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MLA Culture Wars

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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.

108,162 records match, page 389 of 4327.

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

    Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. That is the point; that is the reason why I read into the record the examples that are not reaching the threshold for that sort of intervention. We know of the need to tighten. The police have said many times over the years that they would like more seizure powers with regard to flags,…

    Not flagged

    Assessment details Official Assembly record

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

    To clarify, the point that I was making is that this is getting into the role of the police. It is not that it is getting into cultural matters. The criteria are, at clause 1(2)(a): "the flag or emblem is intimidatory or threatening", and, at clause 1(2)(b): "likely to stir up hatred, or arouse fear". Clause 1(2)(c)…

    Not flagged

    Assessment details Official Assembly record

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

    I appreciate your question. The code of practice will, in many ways, outline that. I certainly do not want the online portal to become burdensome or to make people feel in any way that they are obliged. We are trying to strike a balance so that there is transparency about who puts the flags up, why they are up and…

    Not flagged

    Assessment details Official Assembly record

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

    I thank the Member for giving way and for the information that she has given so far. She said earlier that she was not trying to establish a Parades Commission mark II, but it sounds like an awful lot of information will be required from people who want to make an argument for the flag to be flown. On top of that, it…

    Not flagged

    Assessment details Official Assembly record

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

    Thank you for your intervention. Clause 2(1) sets out definitions and examples of sensitive places, including places of worship and interface areas. Clause 2(2) provides examples of places where public services are provided, such as schools. Clause 2(3) provides examples of shared communal spaces, which include public…

    Not flagged

    Assessment details Official Assembly record

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

    I thank the Member for giving way. I have just two points to highlight. You mentioned the reasonable person test. It is important to highlight the fact that not only is that element contained in the Bill but that, for the issues that were mentioned by Jon Burrows, for example, the threshold in criminal law is higher…

    Not flagged

    Assessment details Official Assembly record

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

    No. What I am saying is that, in those instances, the police have already done their own assessment. I have given examples of the types of banners, flags and posters that have gone up in public spaces on which we have seen no action taken. Let me get to the bones of the clauses. I will be able to respond to some of…

    Not flagged

    Assessment details Official Assembly record

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

    My understanding from the PSNI's public commentary last week is that those flags did not meet the criminal threshold, but I am saying that, in circumstances in which such flags are put up, they are clearly meant to stir up fear and intimidation etc.

    Not flagged

    Assessment details Official Assembly record

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

    First, I think that the police are wrong in their assessment of the Billy Wright flags. A Billy Wright flag does meet the criteria for the police to take action. My view is that it is a crime, but I say that as an aside. It is worth nothing that the language that the Member has used about the police making an…

    Not flagged

    Assessment details Official Assembly record

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

    Thank you very much, Brian, for your considered comment. By way of example, take the "Billy was Wright" flags that went up recently. You will be aware of them. When the police were approached, they said that the flags did not meet the threshold for their intervention. The obvious question then is who removes them. My…

    Not flagged

    Assessment details Official Assembly record

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

    The Member is aware that it is a sensitive topic. Location is key. What is considered acceptable in one area might be considered unacceptable by a resident in another area. We agree with you that flags should not be used to intimidate people or create fear. That should not happen, but my main problem with the Bill is…

    Not flagged

    Assessment details Official Assembly record

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

    I certainly appreciate that, which is why I said that, where they fall into the first category of being intimidatory, there is an absolute duty to take them down. Say, for example, that a local protocol is in place for the Ormeau Road and that Ballynafeigh Orange Hall is very much involved in that with local bands et…

    Not flagged

    Assessment details Official Assembly record

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

    I thank the Bill sponsor for giving way. It is interesting to tease out clause 3, which refers to a voluntary process. Does she agree that those most likely to engage in a voluntary process about which flags they intend to put up, where and for how long are those most likely to engage in localised agreements and…

    Not flagged Decided on a second assessment.

    Assessment details Official Assembly record

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

    Clause 1(2)(a) explicitly states: "the flag or emblem is intimidatory or threatening" and "the flag or emblem is likely to stir up hatred, or arouse fear". Those could apply, subjectively, to someone complaining about a Union flag. A Union flag, for example, is not clearly disaggregated from a terrorist flag, because…

    Not flagged Decided on a second assessment.

    Assessment details Official Assembly record

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