TUV Leader Blasts Stormont Failure to Fly Flag for Royal Birthday
09 January 2013
Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“Today is the first day that the Union Flag has flown from City Hall since it was disgracefully torn down at the behest of Republicans and with the connivance of others. However, what many people may not know is that even today the flag is NOT flying from Stormont, the seat of government, in spite of the fact that it is the Duchess of Cambridge's birthday – a “designated day” throughout the United Kingdom (see here http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/honours/7126.aspx).
“In fact, the Union Flag only flies from Parliament Buildings on 15 days a year while there are a total of 18 days listed as “designated days”.
“I obtained the full list of days on which the flag flies from Stormont in response to an Assembly question and have been lobbying for the number of days to be increased to include obvious omissions such as Ulster Day.
“It is an absolute scandal that Unionists on the Assembly Commission have failed to ensure that the list of “designated days” for our seat of government was not kept up to date. My strong personal preference would be to see the flag flying from Stormont 365 days a year and failing that at least on every sitting day but the fact that it currently doesn’t even fly the flag on all “designated days” is outrageous and inexcusable.
“It seems obvious to me that both the DUP and UUP have been asleep when it came to this issue. There is a Unionist majority on the Commission which decides when the flag flies and there is no reason why the matter could not have been addressed before now.”
Note to editors
Mr Allister’s question and the answer received is as follows:
Mr Jim Allister
(TUV - North Antrim) To ask the Assembly Commission whether it will review the days on which the Union Flag is flown from Parliament Buildings to include Ulster Day.
The arrangements for the flying of the Union flag from government buildings in Northern Ireland are set out by the Flags Regulations (NI) 2000, as amended by the Flags Regulation (NI) (Amendment) 2002. The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission follows these Regulations.
A list of designated days under the Regulations are issued each year, generally 15 in total and I have attached for your information, the anticipated timetable for flags in 2012. There are exceptions to flying only the Union flag. For example, on Commonwealth Day the regulations permit the flying of the Commonwealth flag alongside the Union flag on a building with two poles. On Europe day the regulations permit the flying of the European Flag alongside the Union Flag.
The Assembly Commission operates within existing statutory guidance in this area. Your question will be brought to the attention of the Assembly Commission at a future meeting.
2012
DAYS FOR HOISTING FLAGS ON GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS IN NORTHERN IRELAND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FLAGS REGULATIONS
20 JanuaryBirthday of The Countess of Wessex
6 FebruaryHer Majesty's Accession
19 FebruaryBirthday of The Duke of York
10 MarchBirthday of The Earl of Wessex
12 MarchCommonwealth Day#
17 MarchSt Patrick's Day
21 AprilBirthday of Her Majesty The Queen
9 MayEurope Day
2 JuneCoronation Day
10 JuneBirthday of The Duke of Edinburgh
16 JuneThe Queen's Official Birthday*
15 AugustBirthday of The Princess Royal
11 NovemberRemembrance Sunday**
14 NovemberBirthday of The Prince of Wales
20 NovemberAnniversary of Her Majesty's Wedding
NOTE:#Commonwealth Day is the second Monday in March
*The day appointed for the official celebration of Her Majesty's Birthday
**Remembrance Sunday is the second Sunday in November. Flags should be flown right up all day and not at half- mast.
Dates confirmed by publication in the Belfast Gazette on Friday 27 January 2012
ON THE ABOVE DAYS FLAGS SHOULD FLY FROM 8AM UNTIL SUNSET
01/10/2012
