Calls for ‘protocol and respect’ of Irish flag in new Galway County Hall policy draft
The draft of a new flag and lighting protocol has been presented for displays at Galway County Hall and has shifted council discussion from previous concerns about the Palestinian flag to how the Irish flag will be flown.
Director of Services Michael Owens presented the draft policy to councillors at the October plenary meeting. The proposal sets out standard arrangements for the three exterior flagpoles, all equal height, which will display the National Flag, the Galway Flag, and the Galway County Council Flag.
Mr Owens said he wanted to be “explicit and clear” that the new resolution would not affect any previously agreed actions, particularly those relating to the display of the Ukrainian and Palestinian flags within the chamber and civic offices in solidarity.
The policy follows earlier debates in June, when councillors called for formal guidelines on how flags and lighting displays should be managed at council buildings. At the time, members voiced concern that the Palestinian flag, which stands in the rear area of the chamber, could be removed without specific mention in the policy.
During that meeting, Councillor Karey McHugh Farag said: “I am happy to support a policy where there is a method and a process and a roadmap for it but not where the end decision is taken away from [the council] and made by a director of a district or by the county secretary, and not if it undoes the flying of the Palestinian flag.”
The new draft outlines procedures for flying flags during visits by Heads of State and representatives of sister or twin cities. The EU flag will also be flown on Europe Day, May 9, replacing the Galway County Council flag on that occasion.
The Palestinian flag hanging at the back of the chamber is designated as a guest flag under the new policy. Its display will remain at the discretion of councillors and the Corporate Policy Group (CPG), and it will continue to hang in place.
Future requests to display guest flags within the Civic Offices will be submitted to the CPG and agreed by elected members. In cases involving a flag of a nation or state not recognised by the Irish Government, the council will seek advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
While much of the focus previously centred on the Palestinian flag, some councillors expressed disappointment that the new draft included little detail on how to honour the Irish flag.
Comhairleoir Tomás Ó Curraoin criticised what he described as misuse of the National Flag in sport, saying it is “used and abused” as athletes wrap themselves in it. Calls for “protocol and respect” for the flag, which was “fought hard for”, were echoed by Councillors Jimmy McClearn and Karey Farag Ryan.
Mr Owens said future consultations will include additional guidance and a summary of procedures for the Irish flag before the new protocol is formally adopted.