The South Belfast MLA stated: "It is welcome that the Assembly has recognised the tangible benefits my Bill will bring to everyone in society. Whether it is flags supporting paramilitarism in Dungannon or abusing the Irish language in Belfast, the events of just the past few weeks have provided yet more evidence that the status quo is not working.

"The case for legislative action to better regulate the use of flags in public spaces is clear. I have no doubt, however, that this debate has provided food for thought for the scrutiny process. I welcome that, and I look forward to working with Members who genuinely want to engage with the detail and, where appropriate, enhance the Bill. 

"We did have Members on all sides speaking of 'community consent' or of 'local agreement'. However, some have a very limited idea of what that means. It has to mean genuine consent and real agreement, free from threat and intimidation; and it has to not just be about which flags and emblems come down from public infrastructure but about which flags and emblems go up on public infrastructure in the first place.

"Public spaces are for everyone, and my Bill will continue to allow for time-bound, respectful displays of flags and emblems from public infrastructure. The goal is to ensure that law-abiding people whose intent is to display flags and emblems for the purpose of celebration and commemoration should continue to be able to do so, but those intent on intimidation and exclusion should not.

"I recognise that some Members are frustrated that this Bill has progressed, but the fact is one party was intent not on meaningful debate but on filling time making the same points over and over again. The debate took place over three days and lasted ten hours in total, during which time we heard no meaningful alternatives being put forward to resolve this issue. That was more than adequate time to enable the House to reach its decision, and I am glad it has done.

"I look forward to engaging with the Committee as it scrutinises the Bill, and to work with any MLAs in any party to ensure its provisions operate with that goal in mind. The public are fed up and rightly expect action on this issue."