Alliance Lisburn Council Group Leader Cllr Brian Dornan has said that now is not the right time to be discussing the Council’s flag policy in light of the current context of illegal protests, intimidation and violence. His comments were made after the DUP and UUP voted for the Council’s flag policy to be reviewed, Alliance voted against.
Cllr Brian Dornan said: “At a time in which we still have illegal protests, intimidation and violence happening on our streets, it is inappropriate for Lisburn Council to be discussing its flag policy.
“We have had a very difficult period over the past two weeks with numerous police officers injured. While any democratic body is entitled to review its policy, this is not the right time to do so.
“This issue was agreed six years ago and was not proving controversial, in fact it was actually helping community relations.”
Cllr Stephen Martin said: “The DUP and UUP previously supported the policy of designated days, so I am annoyed that they have brought up this issue because it appears that their party leaders were embarrassed by their Lisburn Councilors’ support for designated days. In fact the UUP in their contribution to the meeting tonight tried without success to clarify their flip flopping on this issue.”
ENDS