Half-mast flag idea daft and ignorant, say MEPs

IRISH MEPs have criticised a German EU commissioner for suggesting “deficit sinners” such as Ireland should fly their flags at half-mast outside EU buildings as a warning to other nations.

They have demanded an apology for the remarks by Gunther Oettinger in the German daily Bild.

“There has been a suggestion of flying the flags of deficit sinners at half-mast in front of EU building,” he said.