Statement from the First Minister and deputy First Minister.
First Minister Rt. Hon Peter Robinson MLA and the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP MLA have issued a short but significant statement (at 11.35pm (Sunday 16 December) in relation to the present social unrest over the flag issue in Belfast.
They said: “We recognise and support the right to peaceful protest but the way forward is through dialogue.
“The current protests are damaging Christmas trade and the local economy as well as disrupting peoples’ daily lives.
“An absence of street protests would provide the space to allow us all to work together to find an agreed solution.”
Their message is unequivocal. They have called for an immediate stop to all street protests to allow a period of peace for Christmas trade in local shops and for political parties to address this issue is a business like fashion.
