Poots runs away on Flags issue
09 October 2007
Statement by Jim Allister MEP:
"Following the disgraceful behaviour of the IRFU in refusing to have the National Anthem sung or the Union Flag flown at the rugby international at Ravenhill, I have been engaged in correspondence with Edwin Poots on his policy pertaining to the flying of our national flag at major sporting events. As appears from the correspondence below Minister Poots, pathetically, has run away from the issue.
I had asked him 3 simple questions:
a) whether he had made any representations to the IRFU about the flag and the anthem at the Ravenhill game;
b) whether he was interested in introducing protocols governing the flying of flags and playing of the National Anthem;
c) and whether he would require the flying of the national flag, the Union Jack, at any national stadium.
With a rudeness which does not befit a Minister of the Crown, he refuses to answer and says I can assume whatever I wish on the subject. Patently, Minister Poots has no answers. He ought to have, because he should have policies on these important issues. As we've seen Sinn Fein ministers, like Ruane in Education, have no hesitation in peddling their political dogma, but this DUP minister, it seems, has nothing to say on promoting the flying of the Union Jack. Shame on him!”
Cllr Edwin Poots MLA
Minister for Culture Arts and Leisure
DCAL
Interpoint Centre
20-24 York Street
BELFAST
BT15 1AQ
28 August 2007
Dear Minister,
Following the recent, in my view disgraceful, behaviour of the IRFU in refusing to have the national anthem sung or the Union Flag flown at the rugby international at Ravenhill, I write to enquire as to what representations you as Sports Minister made, and with what effect.
In a similar context I set out below an extract from a recent letter to me from a constituent who is a golf fan on the subject of the non-flying of "the Northern Ireland flag" at the Open Golf Championship in July:-
"I visited the Open Golf Championship in July this year and observed that there was no NI flag flying at the 18th green with the flags of other competing nations. I met David Hill, a native of Coleraine who happens to be Championship Organiser for the R&A. I spoke to him and told him I was disappointed not to see the flag of "our wee country" flying at the course. He informed me that he had researched the NI flag issue and found that the Union Flag is the only official flag of my country. I have done a bit of research myself and found that the "NI" flag ie; red cross red hand and crown on a white background was abolished in 1973 when Stormont was abolished after Sunningdale.
As I hope you are aware most NI sports fans use the afore- mentioned NI flag. I get very aggrieved when I visit sports events and see other nation's flags flying and my country is not represented. I was watching the USPGA golf from the US on Sunday past and to my amazement what was flying at the course - the Northern Ireland flag! It is good enough for the US, but not good enough for the UK. You will probably say this is a problem for the R&A but surely the present Stormont Assembly should be reinstating the pre 1973 flag."
Perhaps, therefore you could give me the benefit of your opinion on these issues and indicate what if any steps can be taken to bring acceptable protocols, which would give due honour to both our national flag and the regional Northern Ireland flag, into existence. In the event, for example, of "a national stadium" being built, where ever that might be, will there be a consistent requirement on flying our national flag and regional flag bestowed by DCAL on all users of the facility? Can you assure me that we will not arrive at the unacceptable situation of the foreign tricolour of the Irish Republic flying at GAA fixtures? Please elaborate on your thinking.
Yours sincerely,
James H Allister QC MEP
10 September 2007
Mr James H Allister QC MEP
139 Holywood Road
Belfast
BT 4 3BE
Dear Mr Allister
Thank you for your letter dated 28 August 2007 regarding the issue of flags and anthems at sporting events.
The playing of national anthems and flying of flags at sporting events is a matter for the organisers of such events and no sport is under any formal obligation to play a particular anthem or fly a particular flag.
EDWIN POOTS MLA
Minister for the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure
Cllr Edwin Poots MLA
Minister for Culture Arts and Leisure
DCAL
Interpoint Centre
20-24 York Street
BELFAST
BT15 1AQ
18 September 2007
Dear Minister,
I refer to my letter of 28 August and your reply of 10 September 2007 on the subject of the playing of anthems and flying of flags at sporting events.
I regret your response does not really address the issues raised.
I had asked if you had made any representations to the IRFU about the Ravenhill game. Should I assume from your response that you made no such representations?
I had asked, not least on the basis of the Open Golf Championship experience, if steps can be taken to introduce acceptable protocols. Again, should I assume you are disinterested in such?
I had asked what your thinking was, in the event of a “national stadium”, as to a consistent requirement on flying our national flag and the avoidance of the flying of the Irish tricolour. Again, you have not responded.
I wonder, therefore, would it be possible for you to respond on these issues.
Thanking you.
Yours sincerely,
James H Allister QC MEP
26 September 2007
Mr James H Allister QC MEP
139 Holywood Road
Belfast
BT 4 3BE
Dear Mr Allister
Thank you for your letter dated 18 September 2007 regarding the issue of flags and anthems at sporting events.
As stated in my previous letter to you dated 10 September 2007, responsibility for the flying of flags and playing of anthems at sporting events rests with the organisers of the events. Can I advise you to correspond with these bodies with which you have issue?
You are free to assume whatever you wish, as you well know assumptions can have little value.
EDWIN POOTS MLA Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure
