Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Paula Bradshaw has called for urgent legislative reform regarding the display of flags following the appearance of Tricolours at a mixed housing development in South Belfast. The South Belfast MLA argued that the incident highlights the necessity for new laws to prevent intimidatory or antagonistic behaviour in local communities.

Ms Bradshaw expressed that using any national flag to mark territory is disrespectful to residents and the symbols themselves. She pointed to the findings of the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition (FICT), suggesting that the current reliance on unenforceable protocols and a lack of decisive action from authorities has failed to address the issue effectively. In response to the situation, the MLA announced plans to introduce new measures at the Assembly designed to empower and require authorities to act.

Paula Bradshaw MLA stated: "The display of any national flag for the purpose of marking territory is disrespectful to both those living in the local community and to the flag itself.

"As was made clear by the work of the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition, this demonstrates that the status quo, based on unenforceable protocols and a failure by authorities to take concrete action against intimidation of this kind, is untenable.

"It is for this reason that I will shortly be bringing legislation to the Assembly to enable and oblige the relevant authorities to remove flags and emblems which are displayed disrespectfully or antagonistically."