West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Sinn Féin challenge cultural bias in Belfast City Hall

Published: 28 November, 2009

Sinn Féin MLA Paul Maskey has said that Belfast City Council still does not have a 'City Hall for All'. The West Belfast MLA who recently stepped down as a city Councillor has expressed disappointment at the failure of the public authority to meet its obligations to provide equality of treatment, parity of esteem and a working environment which complies with Fair Employment requirements.

"Nationalists and republicans have repeatedly called for the civic buildings in this city to reflect and respect the heritage of all citizens. Since their inception, these civic buildings have failed to do that."

"Sinn Féin wrote to the Council chief executive eight years ago to outline the failings of the Council as a public authority. In our opinion, the concerns and questions which Sinn Féin raised then, are still relevant today."

"Five weeks ago, Sinn Féin's council group wrote to the chief executive of Belfast City Council about continuing bias and imbalance in the display of the British union jack and the cultural and political displays within civic buildings. We believe that the Council as a public authority is still acting unlawfully.

"For example, the British union jack is flown every day of the year and in the case of two other civic buildings, Duncrue Street cleansing depot and the Ulster Hall, that flag is displayed on 17 designated days. That is demonstrating the worst disrespect for at least half of the citizens of this city, who see themselves as Irish and nationalist. It is also an affront to those who are employed by the Council and are entitled to equality."

The West Belfast MLA has said that since spring this year, Sinn Fein has placed a renewed focus on the requirement for Belfast City Council to end its discriminatory practices in relation to display of flags and other cultural and political displays. A consultation initiated several months ago resulted in submissions being brought to the Council about new displays within city hall.

"No-one is disputing that the city hall is imbalanced. That fact is reflected in every report or analysis carried out. What we need now is corrective action. The Equality agenda needs to be embedded in every facet of life in this city. Belfast City Council must demonstrate equality of treatment, parity of esteem and fair employment in all that it does. How the public authority achieve this is up to them.

"Sinn Féin's stated preference is that we have equality or neutrality. If the Irish national flag cannot be flown with equal respect, then no flag should be flown. However, it is important to restate that the Belfast City Council was told several years ago what it could to resolve this discrimination. Among the options put by the Equality Commission were "the option that no flag be flown, or that a 'neutral' or 'civic' flag be flown". We now need corrective action to be taken without further delay."