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 do not have the exact figures for Casement Park, but I am happy to provide the Member with that information. Very little has been spent on the football fund, although we have been able to give some financial support to clubs that are developing business cases. I have no issue with giving the Member that information,…
I have already outlined whom I have met, the meeting that took place in October and the correspondence that I have had with the Secretary of State. We need some realism here: the issue is the funding gap. That is the problem. Either an additional contribution of funds or a more modest proposal is needed, or else we…
Yes. The Northern Ireland Football Fund was another key element of that Executive agreement. I am pleased to tell the House that we will open applications to that very soon. That will be a key milestone in that programme. I want to see that happen, and I believe that we will be able to open applications by the end of…
Let me make it clear that, when it comes to Casement Park, I have fulfilled my requirements. I have certainly met the groups that are involved in the project. The pledge that the Executive made in 2011 remains. It is worth remembering that it has been a long process. Some in the Chamber have tried repeatedly to lay…
Casement Park is the third and final project of the regional stadia programme, and funding was agreed by the Executive 14 years ago. I met Jarlath Burns, president of the GAA, alongside senior representatives from Ulster GAA, including Brian McAvoy, its director and CEO, on 31 October 2024 to discuss how the…
I wish to make a statement to the Assembly about housing supply in Northern Ireland. We are all aware of the crisis that we face in housing: a large and growing waiting list for social homes; inflation-busting rent increases in the private rented sector; low-quality and poor energy efficiency; and record numbers in…
I appreciate the Member's comments, but I want to clarify that it is my intention that that will not just be for 2025-26 but moving forward, because I think that we need to invest far more in homelessness prevention. We need to do the other things as well, but we need to do that now and that needs to continue. I want…
Thank you very much, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I thank the Members who tabled the motion for debate in the House. I also thank all those who took part in the debate, and I agree with much that was said. The motion is timely, and I look forward to making a number of announcements during my remarks that show my…
The cost was not within my control; it is about how visits are booked. As I have said, I recognise the concern about the figures, and I want to make sure that processes are in place for the Executive to continue to do their work at much better value for money to the taxpayer. It is important, I believe, that we…
Yes, I can confirm that I met her, and a number of issues were raised during the meeting about the work of my Department and the wider political situation in Northern Ireland.
I am well aware of the pedigree that Lagan Valley has in hockey. Obviously, it will be a matter for the Commonwealth Games to decide which sports will be played. If there is any role that Northern Ireland can play, I am happy to explore all of the options.
I hope that our participation will mean more medals for Northern Ireland, and I have faith and confidence in our athletes to deliver just that. With regard to engagement with the other devolved Administrations and with Scotland, I look forward to doing that through the normal channels but also to highlighting what we…
I hope to get Executive approval for the housing supply strategy very soon, and I look forward to discussions with Executive colleagues about that. The housing supply strategy will not build houses, but it will ensure that we have a whole-of-government approach to housebuilding, meaning that we tackle issues in…
We do not have an exact figure because it will change depending on the programmes that are taken forward. The current estimate is that the number of new builds will be approximately 1,350. It is important to remember that my capital allocation meant that we started the year at 400. Significant progress has been made,…
I want to give the Member information that is as accurate as possible, so I will come back to him on that. He is right to raise the issue, because we absolutely need to make sure that the appropriate monitoring is in place.
I am grateful to the Member for raising that. I want to see that included as soon as possible, and he will be aware of the concerns that I have expressed about that. The issue has not come up directly in the conversations that I have had so far, but I am keen to hear the Member's views on it. We will take the views of…
It will not surprise the Member to hear that I agree with what she has said. The campaign that we are currently hearing about is ill advised at best. I was concerned to learn about the discussion and consideration of changing the flag. As we have seen at the Olympics, our athletes have always kept their focus on sport…
Yes, absolutely, I have had engagement on the Commonwealth Games. It is great that they are coming back to the UK. It is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our amazing athletes, who have always made us so proud. We will continue to work closely with Commonwealth Games NI and wider sporting bodies in the…
The anti-poverty strategy will have three pillars. First, there will be the supports needed to prevent people getting into poverty. Secondly, for those who find themselves in poverty, it is about making sure that they have the support that they need. Thirdly, we need to make sure that we help people to exit poverty.…
I am pleased to inform the Member that good progress has been made. This is another example of where no action has been taken for far too long. It has been a requirement on my Department and predecessor Departments since 1998 to deliver this, and I am pleased to inform the House that it is still my intention to make…