Speaker to investigate claim poppies not being sold at Parliament Buildings
TUV MLA Timothy Gaston raised the issue in the Stormont Assembly chamber on Monday.
Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots has said he will investigate a claim that poppies are not being sold at Parliament Buildings.
Days before Remembrance Sunday, TUV MLA Timothy Gaston raised a concern as to whether poppies were not being sold in Northern Ireland’s seat of government.
Raising a point of order in the Assembly chamber on Monday, Mr Gaston contended there “isn’t one poppy box” in Parliament Buildings.
“As we enter this period of reflection for the sacrifice and service give by our armed forces, I am genuinely shocked that there isn’t one poppy box throughout Parliament Buildings collecting for the Royal British Legion,” he said.
“Why is the Assembly this year not collecting? If so, is that a decision taken by the Assembly Commission, as chair of the Assembly Commission I trust you will take whatever steps you need to ensure there will be poppies on sale from tomorrow onwards.”
Responding, Mr Poots said: “That decision was taken by the Assembly Commission, so I will investigate it.”