Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The House should remark on the incredible deal between the DUP and the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom. Effectively, it means £100 million per DUP MP and I hope the money will serve all communities. If there is one positive, the deal may help to re-establish the Northern Ireland Executive. I genuinely hope all parties can reach agreement because the Northern Ireland Executive not functioning is not good for politics on the island of Ireland.

We have an issue with flags. I watched coverage of the Glastonbury festival last week and saw the Roscommon GAA flag, but there is a very serious issue with flags.I canvassed in south Belfast with a candidate in the general election. There are paramilitary flags, UVF flags, in south Belfast and they are very intimidating. I would like to pay tribute to the respect shared space rally, which has called for the removal of these flags. There must be some mechanism in place. We cannot have paramilitary flags from either side because they send out the wrong signals on shared space. This House should send out a signal and ask the Minister to articulate our concern that these flags have not been taken down so far. I understand this is not the responsibility of the PSNI but somebody should be responsible. I hope all parties can come together so that these intimidating flags can be removed.