Fermanagh South Tyrone MLA Deborah Erskine has said she will vote against the Display of Flags and Emblems Bill, citing concerns that it could place legitimate cultural expression at risk. Speaking in the Stormont Assembly, Mrs Erskine said while she supports opposing intimidation and threats, the Bill goes beyond dealing with genuinely threatening or criminal behaviour.

The Bill would give the Department for Infrastructure a statutory duty to remove flags or emblems attached to public street furniture where it considers removal to be in the public interest. Mrs Erskine argued that the definition of public interest is too broad, including flags that are offensive, abusive, insulting, antagonistic, or not conducive to good community relations.

Mrs Erskine said what one person considers antagonistic another may regard as an entirely legitimate expression of their culture. She pointed to the lack of definition for terms such as vicinity and excessive period of time, questioning whether people can have confidence that the legislation would be applied fairly.

The MLA said she has more constituents asking for potholes to be fixed, roads to be made safer and public transport to be expanded than asking for action on flags. She added that the Department for Infrastructure would become the flags police as a result of the Bill.

Mrs Erskine expressed concern that commemorations for hunger strikers and terrorist organisations that glorify terrorist actions are not fully dealt with in the Bill. She said such displays are very hurtful for people in her constituency who have to drive past them daily.

She also said that republican flags and emblems do not receive the same attention as loyalist and unionist culture, which she claimed is often vilified and demonised. She warned that under the Bill there could be an influx of complaints about one community's identity and cultural expression.

The MLA said flags used for national celebrations, cultural events, sporting occasions, commemorations and community activities should not automatically be treated with suspicion. She highlighted the Union flag around the Twelfth celebrations as an example.

Ulster Day events are being organised across Northern Ireland to mark the anniversary of the signing of the Ulster Covenant on 28 September 1912. A major parade in Tandragee will include a re-enactment of the signing, with 800 participants and seven bands expected. Jamie-Kyle Moore, Past Worshipful Master of LOL 305, said the event is an opportunity to celebrate and commemorate Britishness and unionism. Other events include a week-long festival in Ballymena, an Ulster Day Service in Belfast, and breakfast events in Larne and Newtowncunningham.