Setting the Scene to Mark the 1916 Rising at Stormont
15 May 2012
Statement by TUV leader and North Antrim MLA Jim Allister:
“I am disappointed that the statement issued by the Assembly Commission makes no mention of the Assembly putting on display the historic artefacts which it currently chooses to hide away in a warehouse such as portraits of Lord Craigavon and Sir Henry Wilson who was involved in the Curragh Incident of March 1914.
“Additionally there is no mention of the Assembly seeking the return of its portrait of Her Majesty the Queen from Hillsborough Castle so that it can be placed on public display in Parliament Buildings during this Diamond Jubilee year. This is deeply disappointing. As is the fact that the Assembly has yet to find time to debate a cross party motion calling for the restoration of the portrait to Stormont.
“This Commission only covers the period up to 2015, so what precisely will happen in 2016, when IRA/Sinn Fein will be intent on celebrating the failed uprising of 1916, is unclear.
"Given that by 2016 Stormont will be under a Sinn fein speaker, thanks to the DUP/Sinn Fein deal on the appointment of a Provo speaker, we can "look forward" to him hosting a Stormont jamboree to celebrate rebellion. Another good reason why no Unionist should have agreed to a Sinn Fein Speaker from 2016.
"Seeing the easter rising celebrated in Parliament Buildings will be a shameful indictment of the present Stormont."
