You are here

McDevitt: Murphy must fulfill legal responsibility to address flags crisis

SDLP Regional Development Spokesperson Conall McDevitt has called on Minister Conor Murphy to fulfill his legal duty to have illegal flags removed from lampposts and other public structures across Northern Ireland.

Fri 2nd July

The South Belfast MLA: “My office has received many complaints this week about illegal flags across South Belfast. Those who have put them up on the Lisburn Road, Finaghy Road, Carryduff and in many other parts of the city not have the consent of local residents.

“The Minister for Regional Development made a commitment last June to fully review the flags protocol which is meant to be addressing this crisis. He promised action yet last week he confirmed to me that no progress has been made.

“He has a statutory duty to address this issue and is failing to do so. The people I represent are proud to live in mixed neighbourhoods and welcome people from all over world into their communities with open arms.

“They accept that everyone has a right to celebrate their culture and heritage but do not agree that flags make a positive contribution to community relations of the regeneration of our neighbourhoods.

“There are also many small independent businesses employing local people and regenerating important retail centres in this city. They want to do business on a shared street not one which has been claimed by one side.

“I also call on those who have erected the flags to show more respect for their neighbours. The flags poison community relations and undermine trust. They are perceived as aggressive and threatening.

“They are not seen as positive statements of identity nor do they reflect the new Northern Ireland which I believe the vast majority of people in this region want to build.”

ENDS

02.07.10

Further information:

Conall McDevitt MLA 07872486572

SDLP Press Office 028 9052 1364

Bí linn ar leas na hÉireann - www.sdlp.ie