SDLP
will not flag up twelfth.
From IRISH NEWS July 12th, 2000
THE SDLP confirmed last night that its ministers will not fly the union
flag from departmental buildings to mark the twelfth holiday. The party
insisted it was committed to reaching agreement on flags - but said displaying
the union flag today would be "insensitive".
Although a "designated day" in Northern Ireland, the twelfth is one of five
additional flag days not in the Great Britain calendar. The flags issue
is expected to be debated by the executive next term, with Peter Mandelson
having the power to make a final decision if agreement is not reached.
The SDLP said a sub-committee of the executive was currently seeking agreement
on the issue, in accordance with principles of equality and mutual respect
outlined in the Good Friday agreement.
"The ministers consider it would be insensitive to fly the flag on July
12 for reasons which are sadly all too obvious, " it said. Further and Higher
Education Minister Sean Farren said the SDLP was making a clear distinction
between the Twelfth and British days of celebration.
"It is exclusively an Orange celebration, and as such is not even a celebration
for the whole of the unionist community, " he said. "As minister I have always upheld the need to demonstrate respect for the flags and emblems of our two national traditions."
"Indeed I have done so by maintaining the status quo as far as British national
celebration days are concerned, and will continue to do so until new arrangements
are agreed."
"In the present circumstances where the Orange Order is showing scant regard
for law and order I think it would be inappropriate for and SDLP minister
to permit the display of the Union flag."
Nigel Dodds last night condemned the decision, and accused the SDLP of following
Sinn Féin's lead over the issue. "They are adopting exactly the same position
as Martin McGuinness and Bairbre de Brun in another example of the erosion
of Britishness from Northern Ireland, " he said. |
