COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, April 16, 2012

MOTION NO. 4

MOTION: Councillor J. Lahart, Councillor T. Gilligan, Councillor E. Walsh 2009

That this Council agrees that the national flag ought to fly on all municipal buildings of significance in the county

REPORT:

The Department of the Taoiseach has issued guidelines in giving due respect to the national flag. Observance of the guidelines is a matter for each individual as there are no statutory requirements but it it is expected that the national flag will be treated at all times with appropriate respect by all who use it.

It is the normal practice to fly the national flag daily at all military posts and from a limited number of important State buildings.  However in consideration of whether the national flag ought to fly on municipal buildings in the county a number of key issues must be considered, including the fact that it should be displayed in the open only between sunrise and sunset (except on the occasion of public meetings, processions, or funerals, when it may be displayed for the duration of such functions).  There are also strict guidelines in relation to the raising and / or lowering of the national flag e.g. that it should not be allowed to touch the ground.

In consideration of all of the above and the limited resources available to the Council it would not be possible to guarantee that, should the Council agree that the national flag fly on all municipal buildings within the county, the Council could meet the requirements to ensure that the national flag would be treated with the appropriate respect which is required and which the Council would wish to have observed.

Notwithstanding the above the Council will be more proactive in the level of occasions on which the flag could fly from municipal buildings.