Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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127. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the Irish flag was not raised on a building (details supplied) in County Kerry on St. Patrick's Day and Easter weekend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28478/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Justice and Equality have personnel in a wide range of office facilities across the State. The policy of the Department is to fly the national flag on key buildings at all times. Apart from these key buildings, Departmental policy is that the national flag will not be flown on days when buildings would normally be closed, including St. Patrick's Day and Easter, in order to avoid giving rise to additional personnel costs associated with raising and lowering the national flag. The Department of Justice building in Killarney fully complies with Departmental policy in all respects. I can advise the Deputy that the policy is sufficiently flexible so as to comprehend potential exceptions to the situation outlined above on a case by case basis.