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03/12/2012
Councillors To Vote On City Hall Flag
A vote is to take place within Belfast City Council today to decide whether or not the Union flag should fly above City Hall.
Currently, the flag is flown every day, something nationalists argue creates tension within the community.
The Alliance Party, which holds the balance of power within Belfast City Hall is expected to propose that the Union flag be flown on 17 designated days a year.
Unionist councillors have accused Sinn Féin and the SDLP of "raising tensions" and abusing their majority position within the council.
But recently, tensions flared up due to a joint scheme by the DUP and Ulster Unionist Party which saw leaflets delivered to residents in Belfast accusing the Alliance Party of siding with nationalists on the issue.
Printed in the Alliance Party’s yellow branding, 40,000 leaflets were delivered which gave the address and telephone number of the party offices.
It urged the reader to contact the Alliance Party over its "underhand tactics" on the flag issue.
Alliance said its staff were subjected to "many abusive and nasty" phone calls following the distribution of the flyers.
The DUP said it had "nothing to apologise for" regarding the flyers, while the UUP said flag policy was an emotive issue for unionists.
In recent decades, nationalist councillors have taken a majority at City Hall, leading to the end of unionist control.
Sinn Fein and the SDLP now outnumber unionist councillors by 24 to 21.
Belfast City Council's policy and resources committee recently voted 11-9 in favour of removing the flag from the building completely. A vote will be taken this evening to decide whether or not to back the motion.
(IT)
Currently, the flag is flown every day, something nationalists argue creates tension within the community.
The Alliance Party, which holds the balance of power within Belfast City Hall is expected to propose that the Union flag be flown on 17 designated days a year.
Unionist councillors have accused Sinn Féin and the SDLP of "raising tensions" and abusing their majority position within the council.
But recently, tensions flared up due to a joint scheme by the DUP and Ulster Unionist Party which saw leaflets delivered to residents in Belfast accusing the Alliance Party of siding with nationalists on the issue.
Printed in the Alliance Party’s yellow branding, 40,000 leaflets were delivered which gave the address and telephone number of the party offices.
It urged the reader to contact the Alliance Party over its "underhand tactics" on the flag issue.
Alliance said its staff were subjected to "many abusive and nasty" phone calls following the distribution of the flyers.
The DUP said it had "nothing to apologise for" regarding the flyers, while the UUP said flag policy was an emotive issue for unionists.
In recent decades, nationalist councillors have taken a majority at City Hall, leading to the end of unionist control.
Sinn Fein and the SDLP now outnumber unionist councillors by 24 to 21.
Belfast City Council's policy and resources committee recently voted 11-9 in favour of removing the flag from the building completely. A vote will be taken this evening to decide whether or not to back the motion.
(IT)
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10 December 2012
Assembly Session Held Over Flag Violence
A special session is being held in the Assembly today to debate a motion condemning the violence caused by the flag debate at Belfast City Hall. Protests, both peaceful and violent, have been taking place across Northern Ireland since the decision was made to remove the union flag from Belfast City Hall and fly it only on designated days.
Assembly Session Held Over Flag Violence
A special session is being held in the Assembly today to debate a motion condemning the violence caused by the flag debate at Belfast City Hall. Protests, both peaceful and violent, have been taking place across Northern Ireland since the decision was made to remove the union flag from Belfast City Hall and fly it only on designated days.
06 December 2012
Ford Calls For Condemnation Of Flag Violence
Alliance Party Leader David Ford has called on the Assembly to show it is united in its opposition to violence over the union flag vote at City Hall. The call follows an escalation of attacks on Alliance offices and representatives.
Ford Calls For Condemnation Of Flag Violence
Alliance Party Leader David Ford has called on the Assembly to show it is united in its opposition to violence over the union flag vote at City Hall. The call follows an escalation of attacks on Alliance offices and representatives.
17 April 2013
SDLP Opposes Cenotaph Flag Proposal
The SDLP has said it is against the flying of the union flag over the Cenotaph at Belfast City Hall, on the basis that it should be maintained as a shared space. An Equality Screening is currently taking place to decide the equality impact of flying the flag above the Cenotaph.
SDLP Opposes Cenotaph Flag Proposal
The SDLP has said it is against the flying of the union flag over the Cenotaph at Belfast City Hall, on the basis that it should be maintained as a shared space. An Equality Screening is currently taking place to decide the equality impact of flying the flag above the Cenotaph.
09 January 2013
Union Flag Raised Over City Hall
The union flag has been raised over Belfast City Hall to mark the Duchess of Cambridge’s 31st birthday. The flag was raised following a sixth consecutive night of rioting and violence from loyalist protesters, who are angry at the council’s decision to restrict the flying of the union flag in line with the rest of the UK.
Union Flag Raised Over City Hall
The union flag has been raised over Belfast City Hall to mark the Duchess of Cambridge’s 31st birthday. The flag was raised following a sixth consecutive night of rioting and violence from loyalist protesters, who are angry at the council’s decision to restrict the flying of the union flag in line with the rest of the UK.
13 December 2012
Man Charged Over Peter Robinson Death Threat
A man has been charged with threatening to kill Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Peter Robinson. The 34-year-old is due to appear in court on Thursday, charged with making threats to kill as well as improper use of a public electronic communications network.
Man Charged Over Peter Robinson Death Threat
A man has been charged with threatening to kill Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Peter Robinson. The 34-year-old is due to appear in court on Thursday, charged with making threats to kill as well as improper use of a public electronic communications network.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
