Allister issues challenge on 'proper names'
23 May 2011
Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister MLA:
“Following Speaker Hay’s ruling in the chamber on Monday past that members and political parties “should be known and referred to as what they are registered as with the Assembly” or “proper names” as he described them, I raised a Point of Order in the Assembly today as to the implication of this ruling on the use of improper names for our country, Northern Ireland.
“The Speaker has ruled that IRA/Sinn Fein must not be referred to as such, but merely as 'Sinn Fein', because that is their 'proper name'. The purpose of my Point of Order today is to see if Speaker Hay extends that logic and argument to how the country of the Assembly over which he presides, namely Northern Ireland, will have the same protection and deference within the chamber.
“Republicans constantly refer to “the North” without challenge yet members are not permitted to use the title IRA/Sinn Fein because it reminds people of the bloody pedigree of those who occupy seats around the cabinet table in Northern Ireland.
“I trust the Speaker in his ruling will give the same regard to the “proper name” of our Province as other names which have concerned him."
