SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin has said that it is long past time to address the issue of the flying of flags.
She was speaking after raising the issue at The Executive Office Committee. It emerged this week that the Programme for Government does not contain a single reference to addressing the flying of flags.
The Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition report was published in December 2021 and provided a possible code of practice for the respectful display of flags, but little progress has been made since then.
Ms McLaughlin said: “I share the frustration and anger of people across our city and across the North that the issue of flags appears out of control.
“In my view, this must be addressed if we are going to end our divided society.
“These flags have made their way from arterial routes to residential areas and to our city centres. We simply cannot allow it any longer.
“Over the summer months, we have received an extraordinary number of complaints about offensive flags, particularly those displaying the symbols of paramilitary organisations.
“People want to live in a shared society, free of intimidation or demarcation and that’s the least they deserve.
“In 2021, a possible code of practice on this was produced as part of the Flags Identity Culture and Tradition report that cost the taxpayer up to £800,000. That report has been allowed to lie gathering dust on a shelf in Stormont.
“After years of political dysfunction and hiatus we finally have a Programme for Government published, only to find it does not contain a single reference to addressing this issue.
“Those responsible have ducked this issue for far too long and political leadership is required to tackle it through legislation that can provide a legal authority on the flying of flags and enforcement on the ground.
“This government has not shown a seriousness about addressing this issue and communities across our region are paying the price through continued division and sectarianism.
“I will be asking the First and deputy First Minister what steps they will be taking on this issue in this mandate and why it was not included in the Programme for Government.”
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