THE Policy and Resources committee of the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have voted in favour of a proposal to identify and budget for a 'rainbow' crossing in both Enniskillen and Omagh.

Such colourful, multi-coloured crossings are increasingly common in large towns and cities around the world, and are installed in support of, and solidarity with, LGBT+ citizens, visitors and tourists.

The rainbow crossing (AKA Pride crossing) motion passed, with 23 votes in favour, six against, and one abstention, during the Council meeting on Tuesday, September 14.

The motion was proposed by Enniskillen Councillor Dónal O’Cofaigh, Cross-Community Labour Alternative; a similar motion had also been proposed by Councillor Emmett McAleer in a separate Council meeting.

Councillor O'Cofaigh suggested an appropriate meeting to be held with councillors on the issue.

He said: "If that would be useful and acceptable to all, we could decide upon a location to take forward a Pride crossing in the two towns and, indeed, I think the guidance and the information provided clarifies that it is possible to do so at areas where there is a signal-controlled crossing, as well as zebra crossing.”

However, Robert Irvine, UUP, disagreed with the proposal. He said: “I do not agree with Councillor O’Cofaigh that we proceed on the item with rainbow crossings.

"There is a cost [provided by the Council] attached which equates to nearly £40,000 for the two crossings [£20,000 per crossing].

"This was brought before us for information and items going forward, and I disagree with spending the money on that.

"If the money can be sourced from another source, then we can facilitate [it], but I disagree with taking money out of Council budgets to actually [install such crossings] and do not approve that.”

Councillor McAleer, Independent, seconded Councillor O’Cofaigh’s motion and said: “I have been in contact with some of the directors in relations to this item, following us passing that proposal in a previous meeting.

"Councillors will be aware that the Omagh Pride Festival is taking place on September 25, and I was hopeful that there would have been something in place prior to that.”

Councillor McAleer asked if a temporary rainbow design could be incorporated in time for Omagh Pride Festival, between Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and South West College, where the event is taking place.

Chief Executive, Alison McCullagh said: “It would be a matter for South West College, as it is their property.”

She added: “There have been no grant aid applications by the Omagh Pride organisers.”

Councillor Eammon Keenan supported the motion and added: “I support [Councillor O’Cofaigh's] call and as Celine [McCarten, Director of Corporate Services and Governance] has pointed out, we have saved thousands by meeting remotely, and it is probably a cost we can incur.”

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter following the meeting, and in relation to the cost of the crossings, Councillor O'Cofaigh said: "I don't understand where these costs come from, but they shouldn't be an impediment to celebrating our diversity.

"As councillors, we need to make sure these costs are reasonable for celebrating our diversity and brightening up our town."