Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition

The Executive Office – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 2:00 pm on 7 July 2020.

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Photo of Clare Bailey Clare Bailey Green 2:00, 7 July 2020

5. Ms Bailey asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the work of the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition. (AQO 524/17-22)

Photo of Declan Kearney Declan Kearney Sinn Féin

The work of the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition is being concluded. We anticipate that a final report will be submitted later this month, and we look forward to receiving that report and considering all of its findings and recommendations at that time.

Photo of Clare Bailey Clare Bailey Green

The commission was established in an attempt to move forward on issues that could not garner political support, at the Executive level at least. Will the Minister provide assurances that, when the costly and long-overdue report is finally received, the political will to implement its recommendations exists?

Photo of Michelle O'Neill Michelle O'Neill Sinn Féin

I am a bit confused, because the last question asked me a supplementary. Is it for the junior Minister to answer that question?

Photo of Roy Beggs Roy Beggs UUP

It is for the junior Minister to answer.

Photo of Declan Kearney Declan Kearney Sinn Féin

The Member is correct. That work was commissioned in 2016, and then, in December 2018, the commission decided to scale back its meetings, while awaiting a changed political context. We now have an indication from the commission that it is bringing forward all of its recommendations. The expectation is that that will be with the Executive Office before the end of this month, and it will be brought to the attention of the First and deputy First Ministers for consideration at that time.

You will be aware that there was extensive community engagement in relation to this work. Twelve public meetings were held across the region. It is believed that there were up to 1,000 people involved in sharing their views on all the issues. They are contentious issues and are very challenging. It is important that, when this work is brought forward, it is taken in context with the likely cross-cutting issues that will arise for other Departments, but, importantly, given the extensive remit of the commission, it is likely that the actions that flow from it will also dovetail with the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression. Therefore, I hope that it will act as a platform to inform that piece of work, going forward. I hope that information is useful to the Member.