A Stormont department has been criticised after it emerged that despite an increase in complaints about flags and emblems on street lighting, not one has been removed.
Alliance MLA Nick Mathison said it is “hard to believe” that despite requests made to the Department for Infrastructure rising by around 50% in a year, “not one illegal flag or emblem has been removed”.
Mr Mathison submitted an Assembly question asking infrastructure minister John O’Dowd to detail how many requests his department received for the removal of unauthorised flags or emblems from street lighting columns in 2022 and 2023.
Mr Mathison also asked for how many of these requests were fulfilled.
In his response, Mr O’Dowd said there were 69 reports in 2022 and 107 in 2023.
“With the exception of a few banners which presented danger to road users, my department did not remove any flags from its street lighting columns during this time,” he said.
“Finding a sustainable solution to the ongoing problem of illegally erected flags and emblems requires leadership and a united approach.”
Mr Mathison said communities are being “held to ransom” by the ongoing erection of illegal flags.
“People are fed up with entire areas being defaced for months at a time by flags and emblems being placed without authorisation on public property,” he said.
“We are long past time for action.”
He said there had been a failure by authorities to confront the placement of unauthorised and unwanted flags and emblems on public property.
“Many of the flags reported will be those glorifying so-called paramilitary groups,” he added.
“If this matter is not dealt with by the Department for Infrastructure and Executive Office, it is Alliance’s intention to pursue a Private Member’s Bill to ensure the interests of the law-abiding majority across the community who want nothing to do with such symbolism are rightly prioritised.”
A department spokesperson said: “The minister is committed to working with Executive colleagues and all stakeholders to deal with this issue comprehensively.
“However, the display of flags and emblems of a proscribed terrorist organisation is a criminal offence that may be capable of investigation by the PSNI, and anyone with information in regards the display of such items should contact the PSNI.”
