Sir, - It should be noted by Sinn Fein, the SDLP and all others that there is one sovereignty in Northern Ireland, and that is the sovereignty of Her Most Excellent Majesty, The Queen Elizabeth II.
The well-rehearsed phrase, "parity of esteem" is a just entitlement within the sovereignty, but not of the sovereignty. There is not duality of authority; hence the sovereign flag of this jurisdiction is the Union Flag, which should be flown from all governmental buildings on designated days, not as an act of offence, but in respect for the Sovereignty of Her Majesty.
The issue of consent to such was acknowledged and recognised in the Good Friday Agreement and subsequently ratified in the referendums.
The Northern Ireland Act, 1998, is introduced by the wording: "Be it enacted by The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty. . ." Section 1 says: "It is hereby declared that Northern Ireland in its entirety remains part of The United Kingdom and shall not cease to be so without the consent of the majority. . ." Section 5 (2) says: "A Bill shall become an Act when it has been passed by the Assembly and has received Royal Assent." Section 23 (1) states: "The executive power in Northern Ireland shall continue to be vested in Her Majesty." Section 23 (2) states: "As respects transferred matters the prerogative and other Executive powers of Her Majesty in relation to Northern Ireland shall. . .be exercisable on Her Majesty's behalf by any Minister or Northern Ireland Department."
It is therefore apparent that the UUP is the only party which has fulfilled the requirements of the Good Friday Agreement. Unless other parties accept the terms of the agreement as related in the Act then they are not implementing the agreement in full. It is a most important issue which must not be ignored. It embodies the Union Flag as the sovereign flag of this jurisdiction and none other. Such is within the terms of the agreement. - Yours, etc.,
Sam Foster, Assembly Member, Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Parliament Buildings, Belfast 4.