Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“For some time I have been pushing for the artefacts held by the Northern Ireland Assembly to go on public display. Believing that this is a particularly pertinent matter as we approach the centenary of the creation of Northern Ireland in 2021 I wrote to NIO Minister Robin Walker suggesting that they could provide something to be included in a much larger exhibition of our history which could tour the UK next year. Minister Walker responded positively to this suggestion. The response of the powers that be at Stormont remains to be seen.
“However, I was interested to discover in, in response to an Assembly question, that some of the items owned by the people of Northern Ireland but hidden away in storage for years are currently on public display – in Dublin Castle. After asking for details of where Stormont’s artefacts currently are I was advised that a picture of the state opening of the Northern Ireland Parliament and the Herald’s Tabard are currently on loan to Dublin Castle.
“On further investigation, I discovered that the Tabard is clearly regarded as one of the star exhibits of Dublin Castle’s Splendour and Scandal exhibition as publicity photographs on their social media accounts illustrate (see here for example).
“I have no difficulty with historic items like the Herald’s Tabard being displayed in Dublin but find it amazing that there are no current plans to allow people to see these items closer to home and indeed use them to tell something of Northern Ireland’s history. Clearly, these items are not too controversial for Dublin Castle. Why is there reluctance to unveil them at Stormont?”
Note to editors
Mr Allister’s question and the response received is online here.