Stormont bedecked like Middle Eastern Bazaar - But no Room for Royal Portrait
20 June 2012
TUV MLA Jim Allister has expressed surprise that just days before the visit of HM the Queen to Northern Ireland Stormont is displaying a number of paintings in the Great Hall and a set of dried fish skins – but cannot find space for a portrait of our Monarch.
Commenting Mr Allister said:
“In February I along with other MLAs from across the Unionist family tabled a motion calling for the return of the Assembly's Lydia de Burgh’s portrait of Her Majesty the Queen to Stormont, so that it could be displayed in the Great Hall. In spite of assurances from the DUP representative on the Business Committee that he would press the matter it has never reached the floor of the Assembly.
“However, Stormont in the meantime has had constant exhibitions and currently has found room to display a bizarre set of dried fish skins in the Great Hall.
“It would seem that Stormont is quite happy to bedeck Stormont like a Middle Eastern bazaar but cannot find room for a portrait of HM the Queen – either on the Order Paper or on the wall.”
Note to editors:
Mr Allister attempted to raise a point of order asking whether the either the Royal Standard or the Union Flag will fly from Parliament Buildings during Her Majesty’s visit but he was prevented from doing so by the Speaker, Mr Hay. The exchange as recorded in Hansard is reproduced below.
Mr Allister: On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Are you in a position to assure us that, next Wednesday, on the momentous occasion of Her Majesty’s visit to the Stormont estate, the royal standard will fly from the flagpoles of this Building, or failing that, the Union Jack?
Mr Speaker: Order. This is not a point of order, and I know that the Member knows that it is not a point of order. This is — [Interruption.] Order. It is not a point of order for this House, and we should move on. [Interruption.] Order. It is not a point of order, so let us move on.
