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.
I want to challenge that, because action is being taken. Let us look at what is happening. The code of practice will be brought forward and will be in place shortly, and work is being done around the levy. I absolutely agree with the Member that there are very serious concerns around gambling. However, this…
I appreciate the Member giving way, and I agree with some of the points that he has made. Does he accept that this was part of a larger package of reforms back in 2021? As a result of that legislation, a code of practice applying to gaming machine operators will come in in a way that it has not before. It will be an…
I beg to move The order was laid before the Assembly on 13 January and is subject to the affirmative resolution procedure. The order is made under the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. I thank the Communities Committee for its scrutiny of the policy and the order. The Gaming…
Before I address the technical amendment that the Chairperson of the Committee for Communities has tabled, I thank the Assembly and the Executive for supporting the progress of the Bill through the House. I also offer my thanks to the Office of the Legislative Counsel (OLC) for its rapid yet thorough advice on each…
First and foremost, it levels the playing field. I have heard from housing associations and from Members across the House about the unfairness of people being treated differently because of the cause of violence. I hope that this sends a strong message that we do not believe that domestic violence is any less worthy a…
That is an operational matter for the Housing Executive. I am always happy to talk to the Housing Executive if additional resource is required, but that is not something that has been raised specifically with me by the Housing Executive, as it has control over its budget and how it is allocated. As always, I will be…
The Member is absolutely right to raise that issue, because I think, and I hope, that it is the ambition of everybody in the Chamber to see an end to paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland. I do not believe that there was ever justification for paramilitary activity, and I certainly do not believe that there is…
Yes, sorry: the police and verification. There are existing systems in place using the PSNI and voluntary and community sector organisations and others. That will continue, but I also expect it to be reviewed, because we need to make sure that the system is as robust as possible. I understand that concerns have been…
I thank the Member for her kind words, which are reflective of where many in the Chamber are: they have seen the issues that these intimidation points have caused in the past. They will be removed, and primary social needs will be looked at. That review will take place. The Member mentioned in particular some issues…
First, I agree with the Member that it is a horrendous situation that the innocent victims of domestic abuse are often the ones who have their lives most uprooted. That should not be the case, but we have to deal with the applicants as they come to us, and that is why I want to make sure that there is that level…
I will update the Assembly on the housing selection scheme and the ongoing, fundamental review of social housing allocations. I have carefully considered the evidence available and, today, made a decision on the matter of intimidation points. It has long been a source of frustration to me, along with many others in…
Thank you very much, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I begin by thanking Sian Mulholland, the Member for North Antrim, for using the opportunity, through the motion, to highlight the importance of the issue. It is a shame on our society that so many people are being forced to use food parcels. I say clearly that I am…
The Gaming (Variation of Monetary Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 That the Gaming (Variation of Monetary Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 be affirmed.
I do not think there will be anything that we will be able to include in the upcoming Budget. There are significant proposals in there that come at significant cost. I look forward to sharing the information with Executive colleagues and, hopefully, Committee members shortly, but we need to be aware of the significant…
Obviously, we want to make sure that we are building homes where they are needed. We also need to make sure that we are building homes that are accessible, and it is, obviously, a benefit to be accessible by public transport. I would be reluctant to put additional conditions on where houses can be built. We want to…
I will have to come back to the Member on that. I have had much correspondence with the Department of Finance on many areas related to housing, but I do not have the details of when or how often I raised that with the Minister of Finance.
I thank the Member for raising that issue as well. It is absolutely right that we have support for all those who find themselves in need regardless of their gender. That is something that I will, obviously, continue to work on and raise with officials. If there are particular issues or geographical areas that the…
The Member is absolutely right to raise that issue. It has been a source of frustration to me, as a representative in her constituency, for many years, so I am happy to tell her that changes to the housing selection scheme are under way, including an exploration of options for the future of intimidation points. The…
To the best of my memory, that is not been brought to my attention. I am aware that the UK Government's policy on the processing of asylum seekers has moved a considerable number of people who were under the care and responsibility of Mears and the Home Office to being the responsibility of the Northern Ireland…
The Member will be aware that the Department for Communities previously had responsibility for the Homes for Ukraine refugee resettlement scheme. That included funding for a community and voluntary sector consortium that provided support to people who arrived under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. From 1 April 2024,…
Yes, of course. I saw that recently at the Ulster Transport Museum, and I encourage others to do the same. I always look forward to seeing how we can promote events and anniversaries, such as the one that the Member mentioned. He rightly highlights West Tyrone and people from there. He may well be aware of John…
The working group continues to develop a programme, working with US partners, to promote events in Northern Ireland and North America leading up to the 250th anniversary commemorations. My officials recently met Library of Congress staff to discuss practical ways to cooperate on links between people, places and…
The Member will be aware of the consultation processes that are in place. I agree with him that hearing and involving the voices of young people is very important. I look forward to doing just that next week with the youth participation group.