The RUC Chief Constable intends to end the flying of the Union flag over police stations in the North on July 12th and other public holidays.
The Union flag is currently flown over police buildings on the birthdays of members of the British royal family, and Mr Ronnie Flanagan said the force had also "got into the practice" of flying it on public holidays. Mr Flanagan added: "That does not happen with my colleagues in England or Wales or Scotland, so it is my firm intention we will stop flying the Union flag on public holidays, including the 12th of July."
Mr Flanagan was responding yesterday to a report on the RUC from the House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. This recommended the RUC stop flying the Union flag on July 12th, and that new recruits be banned from membership of the marching orders.
Speaking yesterday evening on BBC Radio Ulster, Mr Flanagan said "by and large" he welcomed the report and he believed it would take the RUC "in a positive direction".
He said the recommendation that new recruits be banned from membership of the loyal orders or the Ancient Order of Hibernians would require legislation.
"I think personally that legislation would have to be very carefully thought through. I would think it would have to be thought through visa-vis the European Convention on Human Rights and whether it would constitute any breach of those rights."
Mr Flanagan said he would prefer if his members were not members of these organisations and he believed there should be a register of interests.
"I support the proposal by the select committee that people should register membership of these organisations with me, so that I am in a position to know exactly how many of my members are members of these organisations.
"I consider that it is a very, very small proportion, but the truth is I don't precisely know, and I should precisely know," Mr Flanagan said.