THE SINN Féin Lord Mayor of Belfast has unveiled a Tricolour in his official parlour.
Tom Hartley, only the second member of his party to be elected first citizen in the city, said the move was designed to engender greater parity of esteem.
His decision has been criticised by unionists.
Mr Hartley said: "I'm hoping to show that it's possible for the mayor . . . to act in an inclusive way and to engage with all the citizens of Belfast - principally the unionist and nationalist communities.
"I inherited an office with a union flag in it, so rather than remove the union flag I decided to locate an Irish Tricolour in the office," Mr Hartley said.
However Ulster Unionist councillor Fred Cobain said the stance of Sinn Féin was "played out".
Claiming that the action would offend most unionists, he said: "Clearly they are doing this only for their own supporters. Parity of esteem has happened, it has been played out already." The unveiling was attended by Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams along with senior councillors from the party from a range of local councils on both sides of the Border.
"The presence of Sinn Féin chairpersons and mayors on so many councils across Ulster is a potent reminder of the growth of the party in recent years," he said.
The West Belfast MP said he acknowledged the "great challenges" facing both republicanism and unionism in the weeks and months ahead.
Alex Maskey, Belfast's first Sinn Féin lord mayor, elected in 2002, also placed a Tricolour in his parlour next to the union flag.
Unionists said the flag of a "foreign country" should have no place at Belfast City Hall. The Tricolour was presented to Mr Maskey by a former Provisional IRA prisoner at a ceremony.
Mr Hartley's parlour is temporarily located in offices in the docklands area of Belfast pending the restoration of City Hall.