Unionists denied this, insisting their defence of the Union flag was a matter of principle.
Currently councils with unionist majorities fly the Union flag either all year round or on designated days.
Several roads around Belfast were blocked again on Wednesday evening as the union flag protest campaign continued.
That is the same advice that was given over flying the union flag every day at city hall.
Belfast councillors voted on 3 December to limit the days the union flag flies over Belfast City Hall.
Ulster Unionist Jim Wilson tabled an amendment calling for the union flag to be flown on 17 March.
Belfast City Council's policy committee has recommended that the Union flag no longer fly over the City Hall.
BBC: Belfast council committee votes to take down Union flag
Last December, the council voted to restrict the flying of the Union flag over city hall to designated dates.
However, East Belfast MP Naomi Long - from Alliance - said unionists alone cannot solve the union flag dispute.
Notably, Hawaii retains the union flag in the canton of its flag - the only state to do so.
Although the union flag is flying over Belfast City Hall, it has not been raised over Parliament Buildings, Stormont.
It would not alter the decision taken about flying the union flag on designated days at the city hall.
BBC: Northern Ireland Assembly session over flag disturbances
The vote on the Union flag followed a summer of heightened tensions between Northern Ireland's Catholic and Protestant communities.
Instead it came up with a compromise, suggesting that the Union flag should be flown only on designated days.
However, his decision to have an Irish tricolour on display in his office alongside the Union flag angered some unionists.
BBC: Alex Maskey was elected to the top council post in June
Meanwhile, the Union Flag is expected to fly over government departments run by Sinn Fein ministers to mark Remembrance Sunday.
The union flag has a history that is as convoluted, complex and emotive as that of the nations it represents.
Mr Robinson said the controversy over flying the union flag at Belfast City Hall had been a "disaster" for Northern Ireland.
The DUP's Christopher Stalford has countered that the Union flag campaign was a pan unionist effort on a point of principle.
Last month, Mr McCrea lost the party whip when he publicly criticised the UUP's handling of the union flag dispute.
Of those interviewed, 44% backed the designated days policy, in comparison to 35% wanting the union flag raised throughout the year.
BBC: Opinion poll indicates NI voters would reject Irish unity
Ten police officers were injured in disturbances after a protest against restrictions on flying the union flag at Belfast City Hall.
Northern Ireland's political leaders have 'fixed tougher problems' than unrest over the union flag, Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has said.
BBC: Theresa Villiers calls for 'bold moves' over flag tensions
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has said the union flag dispute and dissident republican violence underline the need for more political engagement.
BBC: Martin McGuinness in Easter Rising commemoration warning
His body was flown into RAF Brize Norton, where the Union flag-draped coffin was carried from the plane, with full military honours.
Meanwhile, the chair of the policing board in NI has said he believes dialogue on the union flag issue will "bear fruit".
The committee also backed the removal of the Union flag at two other council properties, the Ulster Hall and the Duncrue complex.
BBC: Belfast council committee votes to take down Union flag
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has designated 18 days on which the Union flag is flown in Northern Ireland in 2013.
But the DUP's Errol Thompson said those calling for the removal of the union flag along the parade route needed to "grow up".
That evening, Belfast City Council voted to fly the union flag at the city hall on designated days only rather than every day.
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