6 Summary of consultation responses Part 2. (EQIA - The Flying of the Union Flag)
Ethnic group
97.6 per cent of respondents (162) identified as white.[14]
[14] n=166
Age
The following graph and table provide a breakdown of responses by age band.
Age band Number Percentage
18-24 2 1.1%
25-34 12 6.8%
35-44 40 22.6%
45-54 69 39.0%
55-64 44 24.9%
Over 65 2 1.1%
No response 8 4.5%
Gender identity
A similar number of responses were received from people who identified as male as people who identified as female.
Gender identity Number Percentage
Male 76 42.9%
Female 78 44.1%
Prefer not to say/
nil responses 23 13.0%
Responses in relation to the draft policy
The following section considers responses to the current and proposed policy on flying the Union flag.
General attitude to flying the Union flag
Respondents were asked to indicate how they feel in general about the flying of the Union flag on Council buildings using a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 meant “very uncomfortable” and 10 meant “very comfortable”.
The average rating was 5.4 out of 10.
Attitude Percentage Number
1 (very uncomfortable) 28.8% 51
2 7.9% 14
3 4.0% 7
4 2.3% 4
5 14.1% 25
6 0.6% 1
7 2.8% 5
8 2.3% 4
9 1.1% 2
10 (very comfortable) 35.0% 62
No response 1.1% 2
Respondents from a Protestant community background felt most comfortable with the flying of the Union Flag on average. Respondents from other Christian and Roman Catholic community backgrounds felt least comfortable on average.
Religion Number of responses Average rating
Roman Catholic 57 2.7
Protestant 62 8.5
Other Christian (including
Christian related) 3 1.5
Other Faith or non-Christian
community background 2 5.5
No religion 24 4.0
Prefer not to say/
nil response 29 6.0
Respondents were also offered the opportunity to explain why they felt that way. One hundred and thirty-two responses were received. The sentiment of each comment was analysed and coded as follows.
Reason Number Percentage
Positive expression of
nationality/culture 44 33.3%
Sectarian/divisive 20 15.2%
Not representative of
nationality/culture 17 12.9%
Prefer no flags/neutral
space 21 15.9%
Not a priority 8 6.1%
No opinion 10 7.6%
Other 10 7.6%
Comments in favour of flying the Union flag included:
- “We are part of the United Kingdom, and the Union Flag is the flag our nation.”
- “This is a government building and are flew across all government buildings in the UK.”
- “I have always been used to the Union Flag flying, part of my growing up.”
Comments not in favour of flying the Union flag included:
- “Very intimidating”
- “This flag is not representative of the entire community nor is it representative of the entire workforce.”
- “There is no need for visual reminders on Council buildings – we all know where we live, and the flag is used as a symbol of oppression.”
Impact of current policy on promoting a good and harmonious working environment
20.1 per cent of respondents felt that the current flag policy has a positive impact on promoting a good and harmonious working environment; 43.1 felt that it has a negative impact; and 36.8 felt the impact to be neutral.
Impact Number %
Positive 35 20.1%
Negative 75 43.1%
Neutral 64 36.8%
Respondents from Roman Catholic and other (non-Christian) faith backgrounds were most likely to feel the impact of the current policy is negative. People of no religion were most likely to feel the impact is positive.
Impact Roman Catholic Protestant Other Christian Other faith No religion Prefer not to say/no response
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
Positive 0 0.0% 23 36.5% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 15 65.2% 8 30.8%
Negative 41 74.5% 7 11.1% 2 66.7% 2 100% 2 8.7% 9 34.6%
Neutral 14 26.9% 33 52.4% 1 33.3% 0 0.0% 6 26.1% 9 34.6%
Frequency of flying the Union flag on Council buildings
Nearly a third of respondents (32.8 per cent) felt the flag should fly 365-days a year. Just over 1 in 4 (26.0 per cent) felt it should never fly.
Frequency Count Percentage
Always (365 days) 58 32.8%
On working days (260 days)
and designated flag days (15 days) 8 4.5%
On specific designated days
(15 days) 46 26.0%
It should depend on the location 15 8.5%
No never 46 26.0%
No response 4 2.3%
People from a Protestant community background were on average most likely to agree that the Union Flag should be flown 365 days. People of Roman Catholic, other Christian, other faith and no religion backgrounds were on average most likely to agree that the flag should never be flown.
Frequency Roman Catholic Protestant Other Christian Other Faith or No religion Prefer not to say
(Including Christian non-Christian
related) community
background
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
Always (365 days) 1 1.8% 42 66.7% 0 0.0% 1 50.0% 2 8.0% 6 33.3%
On working days
(260 days) and
designated flag 0 0.0% 5 7.9% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 2 8.0% 1 5.6%
days (15 days)
On specific
designated days 23 41.1% 12 19.0% 1 33.3% 0 0.0% 6 24.0% 4 22.2%
(15 days)
It should depend
on the location 5 8.9% 4 4.8% 1 33.3% 0 0.0% 3 12.0% 3 16.7%
Current policy on flying the Union flag
Respondents were asked to consider how much they agreed with the current policy on flying the Union flag.
24.9 per cent agree or strongly agreed with the current policy, and 47.5 per cent disagree or strongly disagree.
Current policy Number Percentage
Strongly agree 17 9.6%
Agree 27 15.3%
Neutral 46 26.0%
Disagree 42 23.7%
Strongly disagree 42 23.7%
No response 3 1.7%
Among the 81 respondents who provided a comment in response to this question, those not in favour of the current policy considered that the Union flag is divisive, not representative or not a priority at this time and would prefer no flags or a neutral working environment. Others appear to disagree with the current policy on the grounds that it could go further, for example, by flying the flag consistently across all Council buildings.
63.3 per cent agreed that the current policy should be changed, while 32.2 per cent disagreed.
Opinion Number Percentage
Yes 112 63.3%
No 57 32.2%
No response 8 4.5%
84.9 per cent of respondents from a Catholic community background felt the current policy should be changed compared to 41.9 per cent of respondents from a Protestant background.
Current policy Current policy
should be changed should not be changed
Community background Number % Number %
Roman Catholic 45 84.9% 8 15.1%
Protestant 26 41.9% 36 58.1%
Other Christian (Including
Christian related) 3 100.0% 0 0.0%
Other Faith or non-Christian
community background 2 100.0% 0 0.0%
No religion 20 83.3% 4 16.7%
Proposed policy on flying the Union flag
Respondents were asked to consider how much they agree with the proposed policy on flying the Union flag. 31.1 per cent agreed or strongly agreed and 48.6 per cent disagreed or strongly disagreed.
Opinion Number Percentage
Strongly agree 35 19.8%
Agree 20 11.3%
Neutral 34 19.2%
Disagree 25 14.1%
Strongly disagree 61 34.5%
No response 4 2.3%
Respondents from a Protestant community background were mostly likely to agree with the proposed policy, while respondents from a Catholic community background were least likely to agree.
Frequency Roman Catholic Protestant Other Christian Other Faith or No religion Prefer not to say
(Including Christian non-Christian
related) community
background
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
Agree/strongly agree 2 3.5% 39 62.9% 0 0.0% 1 50.0% 4 16.0% 4 21.1%
Neutral 5 8.8% 15 24.2% 1 33.3% 0 0.0% 4 16.0% 8 42.1%
Disagree/strongly
disagree 50 87.7% 8 12.9% 2 66.7% 1 50.0% 17 68.0% 7 36.8%
Impact of proposed policy on promoting a good and harmonious working environment
19.0 per cent of respondents felt that the proposed flag policy would have a positive impact on promoting a good and harmonious working environment; 49.4 felt that it would have a negative impact; and 31.6 felt that the impact would be neutral.
Impact Number %
Positive 33 19.0%
Negative 86 49.4%
Neutral 55 31.6%
Respondents from Roman Catholic and other (non-Christian) faith backgrounds were most likely to feel the impact of the current policy is negative. People of no religion were most likely to feel the impact is positive.
Impact Roman Catholic Protestant Other Christian Other Faith No religion Prefer not to say
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
Positive 0 0.0% 23 37.1% 0 0.0% 1 50.0% 3 15.8% 6 23.1%
Negative 49 87.5% 8 12.9% 2 66.7% 1 50.0% 15 78.9% 11 42.3%
Neutral 7 12.5% 31 50.0% 1 33.3% 0 0.0% 1 5.3% 9 34.6%
Respondents were also asked to comment on the proposed policy on the flying of the Union flag.[15] Comments in favour of the proposed policy included:
- “to show that we are part of something bigger and are happy to be part of UK”
- “It will promote equality across the Council and ensure everywhere is following the same guidance.”
- “Government buildings should fly Union Flag.”
Comments not in favour of the proposed policy included:
- “Unnecessary and a show of unwillingness to create a shared space.”
- “it alienates the Catholic staff and disrespects their right to an equal and neutral workplace.”
- “lets be more welcoming and tolerant to visitors and locals in our area.”
A number of respondents also proposed alternative measures including:
- “Tolerance of others in a divided society. Fly the flag only at Cloonavin, preferably designated days only.”
- “Doesnt need to flown 365 days or for minor royals, and Sheskburn left out and discriminated against.”
- “I disagree with the removal of restrictions within the policy however I think the focus is purely on one flag and should be widened to include all flags”
[15] n=78
Preferred arrangement by location
Respondents were then asked to consider each of the Council buildings named in the proposed policy and indicate how many days they would prefer the Union flag to fly, if any.
On average across all buildings, 31.1 per cent preferred flying the flag 365-days a year; 35.5 per cent preferred no flag days; and 24.9 per cent preferred designated days. Variances between locations are not be statistically significant.
Coleraine Portrush Ballymoney Roe Valley Cloonavin, Riada House Limavady
Town Hall Town Hall Town Hall Arts Centre Coleraine Council Office
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
365 days 56 31.6% 56 31.6% 56 31.6% 54 30.5% 55 31.1% 54 30.5% 54 30.5%
No flag 63 35.6% 63 35.6% 63 35.6% 62 35.0% 63 35.6% 63 35.6% 63 35.6%
Designated days
(circa 15 days) 44 24.9% 44 24.9% 44 24.9% 44 24.9% 44 24.9% 44 24.9% 44 24.9%
Working days (260)
and designated days* 10 5.6% 10 5.6% 10 5.6% 10 5.6% 10 5.6% 10 5.6% 10 5.6%
No response 4 2.3% 4 2.3% 4 2.3% 7 4.0% 5 2.8% 6 3.4% 6 3.4%
Responses in relation to the draft EQIA
19.2 per cent of respondents agreed with the assessment of impacts in the EQIA, and 13.0 per cent disagreed.
Opinion Number Percentage
Strongly agree 9 5.1%
Agree 25 14.1%
Neutral 102 57.6%
Disagree 14 7.9%
Strongly disagree 9 5.1%
No response 18 10.2%
Among the 20 comments received asking respondents to explain why they disagree with the assessment of impacts, six stated that they had not seen or been able to find the EQIA.
Respondents were also asked about any other issues that should be included in the EQIA[16] and about any further relevant data or research that should be taken in to account.[17] The majority of respondents took the opportunity to restate their previous position in relation to the policy. Other comments included:
- “Flying of a flag outside a building does not necessarily cause a chill factor and individuals are aware that a flag outside a building does not represent the views – either politically or religiously of every individual within a building.”
- “The Town Halls or previous town halls are generally centers of art, culture, venues for weddings etc, essentially they are Shared Spaces, but the policy wants to remind citizens and staff, that they are not really shared at all. There is absolutely no need for the Town Halls or Arts Centre to fly flags.”
- “What about Ballycastle – its inconsistent”
- “There should be no other flags flown representing any other country or minority groups, such as the Pride flag.”
- “The Good Relations strategy of the CCGC should be considered to ensure that the flag flying does not become contentious.”
- “I am not opposed to the Union flag being flown, however, I do think having this flag alone in non inclusive. Either both Union flag and Irish Tri colour should fly beside each other at the same height and have the same rules/guidance surrounding them or no flag at all should fly.”
- “Equality Impact assessment should be taking into account the other parties and religions within council”
- “A study into flags, emblems and victims was published before Christmas without any recommendations, as none of the politicians could agree on how to deal with the past or flags […] I believe that it would be prudent to delay such a policy would could potentially have ramifications both with regards to staff and on the ground in community relations terms.”
[16] n=28
[17] n=25
Other responses
Causeway Coast and Glens received two substantive written responses to the public consultation.[18]
Response from an elected Member
Independent councillor James McCorkell provided a written submission which agreed “that the Union Flag should be flown on all Council buildings in a fair and equal manner across the Borough.”
He stated that the revised policy would bring consistency across the borough and across the UK.
“As things stand, there is not fairness and equality to the Rate paying residents who I represent in Limavady DEA as no flag is flown at any time, however the Union Flag is flown in an official capacity, to varying degrees in other towns across the Borough […] and I see no reason why the rules applicable to GB, should not be applied to Northern Ireland. We are after all, part of the United Kingdom […] if viewed with a fair eye, the Union Flag does not discriminate, nor intimidate.”
Councillor McCorkell’s full submission is included at appendix 10.
Response from the Equality Commission
A written response was submitted by the Equality Commission NI. It considered that "the information contained in the screening succinctly summarises” advice previously provided by the Commission on this matter.
However, it further advised that in relation to the policy, the arrangements for reviewing the locations where the Union Flag would be flown should be clarified.
In relation to the EQIA, it commented:
“Where a policy shows a possible adverse impact on any group, the EQIA should include consideration of measures which might mitigate these impact(s) and of alternative policies which might better achieve the promotion of equality of opportunity. Such considerations should be central to an EQIA and be included in the EQIA so that consultees may evaluate the information and the potential impact of mitigations/alternative policies on equality of opportunity and good relations.
“Despite identifying a potential major impact, the EQIA has not set out or considered any mitigations or alternative policies. While the consultation questionnaire issued to consultees presents alternatives to the policy these are not included in the main EQIA report. This places the onus on consultees to consider impacts. Responsibility to identify alternative policies or mitigations and their impacts lies with the council as opposed to consultees and these should have been included in the EQIA report to enable consultees to make an informed decision.”
The Commission also advised that the final EQIA should include plans to monitor the impact of the policy in line with the Council’s equality scheme.
A copy of the response is included at appendix 11.
[18] A further two written responses stated that they had no opinion on this matter.