My Lords, I thank the Minister for providing us with an overview of the legislation. Like my noble friend Lord Murphy
and the noble Baroness, Lady Suttie, I agree with and do not resile from the regulations. We can all have our own interpretation as to why they have been proposed.
There is a broader political point here, which my noble friend and the noble Baroness referred to, about the nature of flags in Northern Ireland. They are highly sensitive and mark out territory. Over the last few months, having had occasion to be at home permanently for some six and a half weeks, I have seen flags of all descriptions, representing two identities, in tatters on poles. If people had respect for their own identity and that of others, they would not allow that to happen. It does not necessarily happen solely with flags—it also happens with flagstones and kerbs—and it leaves the area environmentally in a pretty poor state.
We need to look to fulfil the ambition of the Good Friday agreement in respect of flags and identity through building the second process of the agreement, the healing and reconciliation process. I say to the Minister: with a new Prime Minister and a new Cabinet this week, will the Government work with the Northern Ireland Executive—if we had one—to ensure that we do have one, and to ensure that we have all the institutions of government of the Good Friday agreement and the Northern Ireland Act 1998 up and running? Will they also work with the district councils to ensure that there is parity of esteem, respect for political difference and respect for all flags, and that this is done in a more sensitive, more appreciative way that reflects all the identities that have to be reflected?
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Generally, Northern Ireland is a changing area, as is the island of Ireland. No longer can you talk of one and the other. Other nationalities have come to live there and their identities also have to be respected. The Good Friday agreement provided for that under the equality and human rights provisions. What respect and judgments have the Government given to that?
Finally, what proposals will be made for all-party talks involving both Governments to get the institutions up and running and to resolve the difficulties around the protocol and any other impediments to political institutions? The most important thing for people is having a functioning Government and dealing with the cost of living and the cost of doing business crises. Energy and food prices are immediate to people and are perhaps more important than flags at this moment.