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Consultation on a proposed Bill to regulate the display of flags and emblems from street furniture

The display of emblems is an important part of any democratic society, and citizens have a right to express their identity and culture. However, the unregulated display of emblems (typically in the form of flags, bunting, banners and posters) displayed from street furniture across Northern Ireland can be both contentious and divisive.

My Private Member's Bill proposes a regulatory framework to enable the display of emblems on street furniture (such as lamp posts, telegraph poles and safety barriers) within a Code of Conduct. It does not concern private property.

This public consultation closes on 30 March 2025.

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* 1. Are you responding as an individual or on behalf of an organisation?

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* 2. To what extent do you agree that the display of emblems (such as flags, bunting, banners or posters) associated with promoting or supporting proscribed organisations should generally be prohibited from street furniture in public spaces?

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* 3. To what extent do you agree that the display of emblems should be permitted on street furniture for the purposes of celebration and commemoration?

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* 4. To what extent do you believe that it is important that national, cultural or sporting emblems are displayed on street furniture to mark important historical or community events?

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* 5. To what extent do you believe that emblems being displayed on street furniture can have a positive impact on the local community, especially around significant cultural events or anniversaries?

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* 6. To what extent do you believe that emblems displayed on street furniture are in some instances displayed for reasons of intimidation or exclusion?

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* 7. What impact do you think that emblems displayed from street furniture have on business and tourism?

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* 8. To what extent do you believe that the display of emblems should be permitted on street furniture specifically within a new regulatory framework designed to ensure that they are displayed within the terms of a Code of Conduct?

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* 9. What impact do you think a new regulatory framework that ensures emblems on street furniture are displayed within a Code of Conduct would have on community relations?

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* 10. How long do you feel it is reasonable for emblems to be displayed on street furniture when this is done for the purposes of celebration or commemoration within a Code of Conduct?

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* 11. Do you believe that extra restrictions should be placed on the specific locations in which emblems may be displayed from street furniture (e.g. outside schools, near places of worship, close to hospitals, on thoroughfares)?

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* 12. To what extent do you believe that people or groups who want to display emblems from street furniture should demonstrate genuine community support for this?

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* 13. To what extent do you believe that people or groups who want to display emblems from street furniture should nominate someone to be responsible for their subsequent removal?

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* 14. If emblems displayed on street furniture are not removed within a reasonable period of time, should a public authority be given the responsibility for removing them?

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* 15. If a public authority is to be held responsible for removing emblems displayed on street furniture outside the terms of a Code of Conduct, what is a reasonable time frame for this intervention?

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* 16. How best do you think the public could be involved in assisting with identifying if there are emblems displayed on street furniture unlawfully?

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* 17. What penalty should exist for displaying an emblem from street furniture unlawfully?

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* 18. To what extent do you believe any potential costs associated with the proposed bill would be proportionate to its intended outcomes?

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* 19. Do you have any further comments?

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* 20. What is your age group?

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* 21. What is your gender?

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* 22. Which Council Area do you live in?

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* 23. Data privacy statement

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* 24. Do you wish your comments to be attributed to you or to your organisation?

0 of 24 answered
 

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