Allister Disappointed With Speaker Shutting Down Discussion on Diamond Jubilee and 12th July
06 February 2012
Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister MLA:
“I am disappointed that the Speaker attempted to silence my call for Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to be celebrated both at Stormont and indeed across the Province. I did not believe that this was outside the scope of the Matter of the Day.
“Additionally, I regret that that he did not allow me to press Minister Foster on why the centenary of the Ulster Covenant and the 12th July were not included in the Tourist Board’s Our Time, Our Place showcase by declining my attempt to table an urgent oral question on the subject.
“I intend to continue to pursue both issues by way of written questions, two of which I have tabled today.”
Mr Allister’s speech and the written questions tabled today are as follows:
“Across the Commonwealth today this is a momentous occasion when we celebrate the accession of Her Majesty to the Throne. On behalf of my constituents, I am delighted to join in that celebration and in the passing of good wishes to her.
“The 6 February 1952 undoubtedly had its dark side in that it marked the passing of King George VI. In his daughter, however, there blossomed a monarch who throughout times of great change — in the past 60 years we have seen immense change in the Commonwealth and across the world — has demonstrated a steady touch and steady hand, through which many and all of us have benefited.
“So it is right and proper that the Assembly should pause to mark that momentous occasion. The question now is: does it end here? What part do the devolved Assembly and the devolved institutions in the United Kingdom now play in the upcoming months of celebration of the diamond jubilee? Will it be a fulsome, magnanimous part or will its part be spoiled by churlish, vindictive republican veto? Perhaps, the stony and churlish silence from the Sinn Féin Benches this morning indicates what is to come.
“It is, however, a challenge to the Executive, on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland, to play a fulsome part and to ensure that, unlike in respect of the royal wedding last year, there will be a gift on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland to mark the occasion and that there will be funding for communities to celebrate the diamond jubilee. I have in my hand a reply from the Culture Minister, who says that she plans to make no extra funding available to communities. Will we see the children of our Province afforded the tradition of a memento to mark that special occasion? I trust that we will. Will we see in the Assembly the return of royal symbols that have been removed —”
Mr Speaker: Order. Once again, the Member is stepping outside what the matter of the day is all about. I will move on.
For priority written answer within two days: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment why the 12th July, Scarva and the centenary of the Ulster Covenant are excluded from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s Our Time, Our Place showcase and what she intends to do to rectify this.
To ask the Minister for Education what arrangements are being put in place to enable school children to receive a memento of Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee.
