St Patricks Day

[shazbang]

I live in Belfast and the council have just unveiled their plans for St Patricks Day events. This is the first year the council has given any funding towards this. They are stipulating however that no emblems or flags will be allowed. I understand the emblems not being allowed as it could spark off trouble but not being allowed to have Irish flags is, in my opinion, pointless. St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and yet we aren't allowed to wave Irish flags. I mean, in England on St Georges Day all you could see was a sea of red, white and blue. Flags were hung out of windows and children had their face painted with the Union Jack. Does anyone else have any views on this?

[THECORBYLOON]

Apologies for the delay in replying but a pal borrowed ma laptop for a few days. shazbang, Great Britain is part of the UK as is Northern Ireland. The nationality of Citizens of the UK is British so that is why Loyalists and Unionists call themselves British. As for you having an Irish passport, it is up to the government of the Republic of Ireland and that country's parliament to decide the conditions under which a passport can be issued. Until 1999, that country's Constitution laid claim to Northern Ireland so it is no wonder they allow those born there to claim citizenship of the Republic of Ireland.