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SDLP question make-up of new commission on flags

First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness with the new members of the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition. The new joint chairs are Dr Dominic Paul Bryans, left, and Neville John Armstrong. Picture by Kelvin Boyes, Press Eye  
First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness with the new members of the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition. The new joint chairs are Dr Dominic Paul Bryans, left, and Neville John Armstrong. Picture by Kelvin First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness with the new members of the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition. The new joint chairs are Dr Dominic Paul Bryans, left, and Neville John Armstrong. Picture by Kelvin Boyes, Press Eye  

THE SDLP have questioned the make-up of the Executive's new Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition.

There are five members with links to unionism, including two of the 'non-political appointments' - a former DUP councillor and a leading Orangeman.

Just three nationalists will sit on the panel, and only one woman has been appointed.

SDLP assembly member Claire Hanna said on Monday that she believed people would "naturally expect to see a more balanced representation".

Seven members were appointed by the leaders of political parties and eight drawn from outside of government following a recruitment competition.

The commission will be co-chaired by Dr Dominic Bryan of Queen's University, who has published research on flags and advised the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister, and Fermanagh community relations worker Neville Armstrong.

The political appointments include DUP MLA and former culture minister Nelson McCausland, UUP assembly member and Afghanistan war veteran Doug Beattie, and former DUP MLA Ian McCrea.

Former Sinn Féin councillor Tom Hartley, ex-republican prisoner and former Bogside Residents' group spokesman Donncha Mac Niallais and SDLP special adviser Carl Whyte are also named.

Richard Good, a former special adviser for the Alliance Party, was the final political appointment announced yesterday by First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

However, among the non-political appointments is historian and prominent Orangeman David Hume, a former director of services in the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, as well as former DUP councillor Ian Crozier.

They are joined by academic Prof Thomas Hennessy, community relations experts Dr Katy Radford and David Robinson, and businessman Mukesh Sharma.

Ms Foster said it "marks another key milestone in the Fresh Start Agreement".

"The commission presents a unique opportunity to take a fresh approach to dealing with the complexities of flags, identity, culture and tradition," she said.

"The commission will undertake a very important programme of work and I commend those who are taking an active role in shaping a Northern Ireland free from segregation and division."

Mr McGuinness said the commission would "identify and acknowledge the opportunities of a diverse community in which cultural expression can be celebrated".

"We must develop a society which is open, tolerant and mutually respectful," he said.

"This commission will contribute to this and pave the way for greater awareness and understanding of differing cultural identities."

But Ms Hanna questioned the balance on the commission.

"On a panel as large as this, you would naturally expect to see a more balanced representation of the views of the people in Northern Ireland," she said.

"That there is not will make some question whether there is genuine intent in achieving a positive outcome."

She said that "to avoid any perception of unionist dominance the commission must demonstrate a fair, inclusive and balanced approach to the flying of flags".

"As the newly-appointed joint chair Dr Dominic Bryan said himself in a paper on the issue, ‘how a decision gets made, and who is included in the decision-making process, is hugely important in determining attitudes towards any new policy’.

"People want to see a resolution on this issue and it will require political leadership.

"That is a challenge but it is one all leaders here must accept if we are to move forward."

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Political appointments:

Doug Beattie MLA MC

Carl Whyte

Richard Good

Tom Hartley

Donncha Mac Niallais

Nelson McCausland MLA

Ian McCrea

Non-political appointments:

Dominic Bryan (joint chair)

Neville Armstrong (joint chair)

Prof Thomas William Hennessey

Dr David Thomas Hume

Dr Katy Radford

David Robinson

Mukesh Sharma

Ian Crozier