Sinn Féin has asked for Belfast City Hall to be illuminated on July 11 for Irish National Day, sparking discussions on the council’s lighting policy and fairness.
At a recent council meeting, officials reviewed the City Hall Illuminate Policy. Sinn Féin and the SDLP were skeptical about the proposed changes. They want to ensure fairness in how the lighting is used.
Sinn Féin suggested lighting City Hall every year for Irish National Day. This day honors the Irish War of Independence and those who died in past conflicts.
The official name for this day is the National Day of Commemoration. It’s observed in the Republic of Ireland on the Sunday closest to July 11. In Northern Ireland, July 11 is known as the Eleventh Night, a night before the Twelfth of July celebrations.
Belfast City Hall has an LED lighting system installed since 2013. It allows the council to mark important dates with special lighting scenes. Recently, there have been more requests for illuminations.
A council committee had previously approved 14 annual illumination dates. However, the number of requests has far exceeded this. In 2024, 50 additional illuminations were approved, and there were 69 in 2023.
Maintaining the lighting system costs about £10,000 each year. Each new lighting scene must be created and programmed by trained staff, which adds to the cost.
The council’s review report noted that many organizations want to mark their events with lighting. The current system is at full capacity, making it hard to accommodate all requests.
The report also mentioned that the public often doesn’t understand why City Hall is lit in certain colors. The colors usually hold significance for specific groups.
To address these issues, council officers suggested a new application process. They proposed allowing 28 illuminations each year, with extra requests considered.
They also recommended that only organizations could submit requests for significant anniversaries. This would help manage the number of requests and ensure fairness.
City Solicitor Nora Largey mentioned that the system has become overwhelmed with requests. She expressed concerns about fairness, as some charities miss out on opportunities.
SDLP Councillor Carl Whyte argued that the costs are minimal and questioned the need for restrictions. He emphasized the importance of keeping the process open for everyone.
Largey responded that the goal is to create a transparent process. This would help everyone understand how to apply and prevent confusion.
Sinn Féin Councillor Ronan McLaughlin expressed concern that restrictions might upset people. He believes the lighting should be accessible for all to enjoy.
The City Solicitor decided to defer the review to address the issues raised by councillors. An updated report will be presented next month.
