During the protest period following the signing of the
Anglo-Irish Agreement, the banner hanging across the front of Belfast City Hall
declaring 'Belfast Says No' was a familiar sight. In addition to the
controversial hanging of this banner, the Unionist councillors in the city had
been refusing to strike a rate as part of their ongoing protests. This meant
that the council would eventually be hit by a lack of funds if no agreed rates
for ratepayers could be worked out.
David Cook of the
Alliance Party, Belfast's former Lord Mayor, took legal action against the
council, and here he is interviewed by Good Evening Ulster on the success of
his case, with the court ordering the council both to carry out its obligated
business and to seek planning permission for the banner. Councillor Nigel Dodds
of the DUP is also interviewed, stating that he wouldn't rule out Unionist
controlled councils defying the law. Seamus Mallon of the SDLP is also before
the camera to express his views on the ramifications for councils across
Northern Ireland following the court outcome.