Move to ensure flag flies at Stormont on Ulster Day
02 October 2012
Following the controversy about the absence of union flags from Parliament Buildings during last Saturday's Ulster Day centenary, TUV MLA, with the support of other unionists, has tabled an Assembly motion calling on the Assembly Commission to add Ulster Day, 28th September, to the list of specified days when the flags fly.
The motion has so far been signed by Ulster Unionists Michael Copeland, Robin Swann, Sandra Overend and Danny Kennedy. Mr Allister has asked the DUP Whip for his party's support and has been advised it will be considered through the party's processes.
Commenting Jim Allister said, "The anger on Saturday about the absence of the flag was palpable. The Assembly brought shame on itself by failing to ensure the flags were flying. This was in the gift of the Assembly Commission, which operates on a weighted vote, meaning it has a unionist majority.
"On the present list of flag days is the meaningless 'Europe Day', but not the meaningful 'Ulster Day'.
"This motion is directed at addressing this obvious gap and I trust it will be permitted by the Business Committee to be debated and secure majority backing."
The text of the motion is as follows:-
That this Assembly deplores the failure to fly the Union Flag from Parliament Buildings to mark the Centenary of Ulster Day and urges the Commission to include Ulster Day among the specified days on which the flag is flown.
