Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Press Releases

28 June 2011

The Community Relations Council (CRC) has commented on the latest research report from Queen’s University on the public display of flags and emblems.

Duncan Morrow, CRC Chief executive, says:

“It is very disappointing to learn that six years after the introduction of a Protocol on the public display of flags and emblems along arterial routes that there has been little change or improvement. While it is legitimate for organisations and individuals to seek to celebrate cultural or sporting events in the public space this needs to be time limited. If left on public display after a reasonable time they cease to be an expression of celebration and can become a threatening attempt to mark territory. This runs counter to efforts to create a shared and inclusive society.

“The Flags Protocol does not appear to be working effectively. Having clear agreements on cultural displays is a crucial issue for creating genuinely shared space. It is important that this issue is addressed as part of the wide review of Cohesion, Sharing and Integration (CSI).”

For further information contact

Ray Mullan 028 90 227500

rmullan@nicrc.org.uk