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.
1,781 records match, page 42 of 72.
I undertook a recent visit that was to do with the need for such spaces in order for the arts to thrive, so, yes, it is certainly on my agenda.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Arts Programmes Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Arts Programmes
It is something that is of concern to me. On Saturday evening a week ago, I had the opportunity to attend the Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster arts gala, which was a fantastic example of what local arts organisations that operate outside Belfast, outside the other big cities and outside areas where there is…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Arts Programmes Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Arts Programmes
It is something that I am happy to look at. The Member is not the first to raise the issue with me, and there are places in my constituency that fall into that category as well. The Member has been consistent and persistent on the issue, and I will keep it in mind.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Rural Regeneration Strategy Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Rural Regeneration Strategy
I think that that is the third topical question that the Member has asked and the third time that he has raised the issue, so I should have been prepared for that one. I do not have an update at this time, but I will furnish him with one as soon as I have it.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Rural Regeneration Strategy Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Rural Regeneration Strategy
We were already operating in a difficult environment. Although we were not aware of some of the specific changes that were coming, the strategy has been drafted in such a way that means that we are dealing with the root causes of poverty and are not just looking at the benefit and welfare system, as important as that…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Cuts to Disability Benefits Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Cuts to Disability Benefits
The anti-poverty strategy will certainly deal with that. As I said, we will also bring forward a disability strategy and disability work strategy. I believe that there is a joined-up approach from the Executive on that matter, and I hope that it continues.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Cuts to Disability Benefits Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Cuts to Disability Benefits
It is important that the strategy be flexible. Although different action plans will come out of it and can be refreshed, first and foremost, the strategy provides a framework for the way forward. It is right that we have that, but we need to be agile and make sure that we actually put measures in place that will make…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Anti-poverty Strategy Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Anti-poverty Strategy
I can confirm that I will send the draft anti-poverty strategy to Executive colleagues today. I hope to see its impact as soon as possible, but, ultimately, that will depend on its getting Executive approval.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Anti-poverty Strategy Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Anti-poverty Strategy
Absolutely. You have to show up and be in the room. I took some criticism for going there in October, but the fact that I was able to go at that time, make those initial connections and build on them over the past six months led to what we now have in place. That is important. It will produce dividends for Northern…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Washington DC Visit: Benefits Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Washington DC Visit: Benefits
The memorandum of understanding is going to be important because it will set the framework for how the story of this place is told. I am pleased that there was a genuinely open door from the America250 commission, which was excited about the stories that we had to tell, and the possibilities that that created for…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Washington DC Visit: Benefits Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Washington DC Visit: Benefits
I had a busy programme, planned to enhance existing relationships and to establish long-term collaborations with a key partner for Northern Ireland. I was able to promote Northern Ireland at the very highest levels through a series of important engagements. The semiquincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Washington DC Visit: Benefits Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Washington DC Visit: Benefits
Absolutely. Most people in the States and elsewhere will be aware of the Famine and post-Famine emigration to the US, and the impact that some of those emigrants had, especially in New England and the north-east. If you were to go back 100 years previously, however, it was people from Ulster who really made the…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: United States Semiquincentennial Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: United States Semiquincentennial
Yes, absolutely. I encourage all our councils to get involved. I think that a number of them are doing that. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council obviously has links to Chester Arthur and Andrew Jackson. Clearly, the links that we have in Fermanagh and Omagh are told at the Ulster American Folk Park, about which I was…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: United States Semiquincentennial Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: United States Semiquincentennial
Absolutely; those presidents were Chester Arthur and William McKinley. I am keen to support celebrations that help to promote those links that exist between what is now Northern Ireland and the United States. I am keen to see those celebrations take place, because we should be very proud of the connections that we…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: United States Semiquincentennial Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: United States Semiquincentennial
The Department provides funding on an annual basis to all local councils for community festivals through the community festivals fund. Community groups that wish to mark the occasion may be eligible to apply for support through their local council. I am continuing to explore other opportunities through my Department…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: United States Semiquincentennial Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: United States Semiquincentennial
Absolutely. I am more than happy to put on record my thanks to the Member for his many decades of service to football in Northern Ireland. I am aware of the importance of grassroots football, especially for young people, and the extent of it right across Northern Ireland. I am very keen to make sure that we move…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Youth Football Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Youth Football
The Irish FA is developing capital funding to modernise grassroots facilities on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) through the IFA DCMS grassroots facilities investment fund 2023-25. I welcome the recent announcement of a UK-wide £100 million funding package to upgrade grassroots…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Youth Football Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Youth Football
I am sorry. I was trying to find the translation of that, so I do not think that I heard all of it. If there was an invite, I would be more than happy to take up that invitation and use it as an opportunity to highlight Belfast and Northern Ireland on the world stage.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026
Yes, absolutely; in fact, the marching band tradition in Northern Ireland was mentioned, and its richness and significance was highlighted. Belfast attained UNESCO City of Music status in November 2021. That was because of the wide range of music and cultural traditions that we have. The marching bands are an…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026
That is exactly what we discussed during last week's meeting. We want to ensure that all traditions and types of music are represented. We want to ensure that, on that stage, we get an opportunity to showcase not just Belfast but Northern Ireland and our rich cultural and musical heritage.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026
I met representatives from Belfast City Council and Comhaltas last week. The delivery of that large-scale event requires commitment from many partnership organisations. I am pleased that the Arts Council — an arm's-length body of my Department — is available and more than willing to assist with advice and input as the…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026
The Member will be aware that the Executive brought in welfare mitigations that helped to deal with some of the most egregious of those welfare reforms and the impact that they had on people in Northern Ireland. Mitigations were brought in for the bedroom tax, for example, because we simply did not have the capacity…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Welfare Reform: Implications Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Welfare Reform: Implications
A statutory report on the operation of welfare reform, as provided for in the Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015, was laid before the Assembly in December 2018. My Department also published an evaluation of welfare reforms, as detailed in the welfare reform composite evaluation framework.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Welfare Reform: Implications Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Welfare Reform: Implications
As I have outlined to the House, there is a mechanism in place that may have been able to help in the case mentioned by Mr Durkan. That may not have been well known in that instance — I do not know whether they went down that route — but there are a number of options available. Sometimes, those are on a discretionary…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Social Tenancy Agreements: Support Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Social Tenancy Agreements: Support
Generally, tenancy agreements cannot be signed by an individual who is deemed to lack capacity. However, there is potential for consideration to be given, through the Office of Care and Protection, to someone being authorised to sign a tenancy agreement on behalf of the individual who lacks capacity. That needs to be…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Social Tenancy Agreements: Support Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Social Tenancy Agreements: Support
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