Audio interview with Jeffrey Donaldson, DUP MP for Lagan Valley, by Cathal Mac Coille for RTE Radio 1 show Morning Ireland on 9 January 2013. On 3 December 2012 Belfast City Council voted to only fly the Union flag above City Hall on designated days rather than the entire calendar year. The motion was supported by Sinn Fein, the SDLP and the Alliance Party. This decision led to public protests by sections of the unionist community across Northern Ireland, but particularly in Belfast, during December 2012 and early January 2013. In some areas PSNI members were attacked and death threats were sent to Northern Ireland politicians. Two DUP members were also warned of death threats, apparently from dissident republicans, during this period. Donaldson is interviewed about the continued protests and potential solutions to the current impasse. Morning Ireland is RTE Radio 1’s daily breakfast news programme.
Date of Release/Broadcast: 9 January 2013
Name of First Interviewee: Jeffrey Donaldson
Role at time of Interview: DUP MP for Lagan Valley
Interviewer: Rachael English
Purpose: News
Media: Audio
Copyright: © RTÉ 2013
Link: Listen to the interview
Programme/Book/Article: RTE Radio 1 Morning Ireland
Time Period covered: 2012-2013
Key Individuals: Jeffrey Donaldson
Key Words: Flag, protest, economy, Orange Order, PSNI, youth, legacy, community relations