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Mr Gordon Lyons: Assembly records
All of Mr Gordon Lyons’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
My statement is about the outcome of the recent Equality Commission review of the Ulster Boxing Council (UBC). Members will be aware that Daryl Clarke took a case against the Ulster Boxing Council, alleging discrimination on religious grounds, when he was not selected to represent Northern Ireland at the 2022…
On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I tried to get my statement out to Members as quickly as possible, but the timings moved forward. I believe that it was sent out at only around 12.30 pm. I would be more than happy to postpone the statement until after Question Time, if that is what the House wishes.
Legislative Consent Motion: Pension Schemes Bill That this Assembly agrees, in line with section 87 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, to the principle of the extension to Northern Ireland of the provisions of the Pension Schemes Bill, relating to terminal illness, alienation or forfeiture of occupational pension,…
I agree with the Member. There are others in the Chamber who continue to bury their head in the sand and say that the UK Government's policy on housing and immigration has not had an impact on housing in Northern Ireland: of course it has. This Government and the previous Government accelerated the rate of their…
Again it seems as though Sinn Féin has a different statement from the one that I read out. I have been clear that there is an issue and that there are concerns. I have made it clear to the House today what powers are available to councils to put in place measures to ensure that the right policies are there to…
I wish to make a statement to the Assembly on the enforcement and licensing of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). In recent months, there has been an increased focus on HMOs, with concerns being raised about concentrations of that type of accommodation in certain areas. I am also aware of reports about overcrowding…
I appreciate the Member giving way. Does he concede that it is not only the DUP that has outlined its concerns about the climate change targets, given that the Climate Change Committee said in its 2021 report that we were going beyond what was required to ensure that the UK hit net zero? In fact, going too far too…
Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank all those who contributed to the debate. It is an important issue. It is probably one of the most important issues that we face, because poverty is a curse, and child poverty is particularly egregious. Poverty limits potential and harms people and their life chances. I…
We are having those conversations. I want to see as many homes built as possible. Just because we are not able to build those homes where there is the highest demand due to waste water constraints, that should not stop us building as many houses as we can. The most important thing is that we have houses for people who…
That is an important part of the work that we do. You will know how the housing supply strategy addresses our rural needs. Ultimately, however, we have a shortage of supply everywhere, including in rural areas. We need to make sure that we fulfil the demands that are there.
I am happy to ensure that officials engage with the sector directly to make sure that we scope out the problem and find the solutions, if there are any.
I am disappointed to hear that that is your experience, as we also hear about it from time to time. I will be happy to raise that with officials to see what needs to be done and whether there are additional regulatory measures that we can take or other support that we can offer. If she has any specific examples of how…
I am happy to look at all the programmes that we have. I am driven by whatever delivers the results. I hope that the Government will follow through and give the funding to the projects that need it. We will, of course, look at the totality of what is offered to see what is best for people and how we can make sure that…
Yes. The Member is right to say that it is a matter for the Department of Finance to take forward, but it impacts on all of us, and it is something that I am concerned about. I have raised the matter with Executive colleagues, and we have put those views across. We need certainty more than anything else; we do not…
Yes. I hope that it inspires the next generation. Maybe even the Member will be inspired to take up a new sport; maybe he will be seeking Olympic glory as well. I certainly encourage him in that. However, I was in Paris in August 2024, and I met Hannah Scott outside a cafe. We sat down and had a conversation. She told…
I am pleased to say that the £1 million Olympic legacy fund is now open. We have grants available from £1,000 to £50,000, and it is 65% grant to 35% crowdfunding. It is an opportunity to make a real difference for those across Northern Ireland. I was asked about what we are doing to help the sports clubs and…
I understand where the Member is coming from, and I have much sympathy for those who find themselves in that situation. I get that there can be family ties and connections, and we need to make sure we have a policy in place that is compassionate, not only to those in that situation but to those who need a suitable…
Some concerns have been expressed about that. We are trying to get a balance between making sure that those with the proper connection to the homes are able to stay in them and making sure that the right stock goes to those who need it most, which is a requirement for us. I will be happy to look into any specific…
It is a difficult issue, because there are competing priorities and rights for the various interested stakeholders. We want to try to get a balance. I will bring the issue to the House, as I am required to do, and we will publish our response to that soon. I will look at what additional reforms may be required in due…
I am aware of who is responsible. Councils have extensive powers in those areas, and there is a mismatch between what different councils are doing. I will clarify that when I bring that HMO statement to the House, and there will be an opportunity for us to discuss that further. However, first and foremost, we should…