What a tragedy that the centuries old problems of Ireland, specifically Northern Ireland, show no sign of abating. The province seems to be locked in a vicious spiral where trouble breaks out, peace is made and all is quiet for a while before it all kicks off again. One wonders will it ever end? Sadly, as things stand, the answer is almost certainly no, because whilst there may be a peace-loving majority there are still enough extremists and bigots on both sides of the religious divide to guarantee that any cessation of hostilities will always be temporary. However, the latest outbreaks of violence almost defy belief and those politicians who decided to restrict the flying of the Union flag over Belfast City Hall are surely worthy candidates for admission to the local asylum.

There are of course two separate communities in Northern Ireland namely Catholics and Protestants with the Protestants comprising the majority. Traditionally, Protestants wish to remain a part of the United Kingdom whilst a significant number of Catholics would prefer to be part of a United Ireland. The situation is never less than sensitive or delicate and it doesn’t take much for trouble to arise as can be seen each year during the Protestant marching season when the archaic Orange Order openly and provocatively celebrate their 17th century victory over the Catholics.

The Union flag is much in evidence all year round in Protestant communities and is an obvious symbol of their membership of the UK. The crass decision to restrict the flying of the flag from Belfast City Hall to certain days of the year was inevitably going to lead to outrage and trouble. What on Earth were the City Council members thinking of, surely they must have known what the response to their decision would be?  Northern Ireland is like a keg of gunpowder, nice and calm when the lid is sealed but even a small child can tell you what happens when the lid is removed and you strike a match.

The province is part of the United Kingdom and its citizens should have an unrestricted right to fly the national flag on all public buildings at all times, just as they should, for that matter, in all parts of the UK. As long as the majority in Northern Ireland wish to remain in the UK their wishes should be respected. There may well come a day, and some say it is rapidly approaching due to a rapid growth in the Catholic population, where a new majority decide that they no longer wish to do so. That will be a different ball game and those pressing for a United Ireland may one day get their wish, though if I were a citizen of the Republic of Ireland I doubt that I would want the troubled North to be a part of my country.