Below is the speech by TUV leader Jim Allister during the debate on Union Flags on Northern Ireland driving licences:
“I support the motion, and I think that the Minister has acted in a wrong-headed and inappropriate way. I believe that he had equality-proofing obligations under section 75 that he did not pursue whatsoever, I believe that he had consultation obligations that he did not pursue altogether and l believe that he had obligations under the strange arrangements of this place, this being a controversial matter, to take the issue to the Executive. In making that case, I pick up the point that Lord Morrow made and say to nationalist and republican Members that if, at a future point, a unionist Minister were to decide that there now shall be a Union flag on the driving licence, would not each and every nationalist and republican in the House say, “You must section 75-proof that; you must consult on it. It is controversial, and you must take it to the Executive”. Of course they would, because they would say that that would be changing the status quo. However, it is precisely the status quo in the United Kingdom that has been changed in this situation. The status quo that has evolved for the rest of the United Kingdom is the Union flag on the driving licence. The Minister wants to depart from the status quo; therefore, the Minister had an obligation to consult, an obligation to recognise that it was controversial and an obligation to pursue his section 75 obligations. In failing to do that, the Minister failed in his responsibilities.
“Then the Minister tells us, “Oh, we cannot have the option of having the Union flag. That isn’t possible”. I remind the House that people in Northern Ireland pay more for their driving licence than the rest of the United Kingdom. The Minister’s colleague had a consultation in 2012 on the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations, and the consultation was to increase, exclusively in Northern Ireland, the fees for driving licences from the UK standard of £50 to £62·50. Why? The consultation said that it was because there was a separate production line for Northern Ireland driving licences and that the fee is too small to sustain it at the £50 level. We know that that option exists. Therefore, it follows that, by virtue of that already paid-for separate provision, there is the option, if the Minister wanted to take it, of affording the Northern Ireland licence holder the right to have the Union flag on their driving licence.
“I very much regret the attitude that the Minister has taken. Even yet, he should review this. It really brings home to one the hypocrisy of those who talk about equality. When it comes to equality for unionists, it is just neutrality; it is never equality. It is never respect for what they want. They talk about parity of esteem, but, when there is an opportunity to tear down the flag from City Hall or to make sure that it does not go on driving licences, it is pursued, grasped and taken. Those who pursue that course of action need to examine their stance the next time they feel compelled to make one of those effusive speeches about parity of esteem, equality and all that. This is a shameful decision and is one that the Minister should reverse.”