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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 qualifying, uncertain or not yet analysed.
Yes, I am always happy to meet those who have concerns or other issues that they want to raise with me. On the budget, it is important for the House to know just how challenging a budget settlement my Department has received. It will be difficult in many areas. However, I have already stated how important I consider…
The recommendations in 'Investing in Creative Delivery' have not yet been implemented, but the foundation of work to develop a comprehensive strategy for the support and development of the culture, arts and heritage sectors will be based on that work.
I was clear in my answer to Mrs Erskine that we need to ensure that any legislation is rights-compliant and that we therefore cannot introduce legislation that puts a prohibition on freedom of expression or belief or on people's right to express their religious beliefs. Those views may not be palatable to everybody,…
Work has been ongoing. My predecessor commissioned and funded a report that academics have taken forward. I have only just received the report. My officials have been working with colleagues in other jurisdictions to learn from their experiences, and further stakeholder engagement will be needed as we move forward.
I do not have timescales for that yet. There is another process, of getting more evidence and of consultation, to go through. Ultimately, I cannot give a timescale, because it will need to be agreed by the Executive and then by the Assembly. That is not something that I am able to give a definitive timescale for at…
Yes. The Member is absolutely right to highlight that. We clearly need to protect people from coercive, abusive and humiliating practices, but that must not be at the expense of freedom of expression, freedom of belief, freedom of religion or freedom of speech. That is why it is so important that we have a proper…
I thank the Member for her question. I have received the report. I have started to read it but I have not made my way through it yet. It will be an important part of our overall evidence base but by no means all that we need, so I look forward to taking evidence from a number of sectors so that we can take the…
A ban on so-called conversion therapy will require legislation to be agreed by the Executive and passed by the House. There are no definitive timescales for that.
I beg to introduce the Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Bill [NIA 04/22-27], which is a Bill to make provision about the extension of pensions automatic enrolment to jobholders under the age of 22; to make provision about the lower qualifying earnings threshold for automatic enrolment; and for connected…
I beg to introduce the Defective Premises Bill [NIA 03/22-27], which is a Bill to amend the law as to liability for defects in the state of dwellings; and for connected purposes.
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. At the most recent election, my colleagues and I on these Benches stood on a platform to help working families. One of the most pressing issues facing those families right across Northern Ireland right now is the affordability and availability of quality housing. This is not an issue that…
On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I take this opportunity to apologise to the House for the delay in getting the statement to Members. Members will be aware that we are running about two or three hours ahead of schedule, with lunch and Question Time. I was not expecting to come to the House this soon, and I got…
The Occupational Pension Schemes (Governance and Registration) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 That the Occupational Pension Schemes (Governance and Registration) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 be approved.
I thank Ms Hunter for bringing the Adjournment debate to the House, and I welcome the opportunity to respond to it. I recognise many of the issues and concerns that the Member and others raised in the debate about housing on the north coast. I also understand that there are some housing matters, including second homes…
I am happy to do that. We have an intense housing need right across Northern Ireland, so it does not make sense for homes to be lying empty. Obviously, we want people in those homes. There can also often be an antisocial element to empty homes. On Saturday, I spoke to residents in my constituency who are concerned…
The Member will be aware of the previous empty homes strategy that was taken forward by my Department. It is fair to say that the success of that was questionable. He will be aware of the housing supply strategy that I intend to bring to the Executive soon. Empty homes will have to be considered as we look at housing…
I understand the importance and sensitivity of the issue. I recognise that the Member has raised this, so I will raise it with officials and ensure that her concerns and the concerns, I am sure, of many others are taken seriously.
I appreciate the Member raising the issue. I believe that a licence was issued to Northern Archaeological Consultancy (NAC) last year to archaeologically monitor test trenching at Milltown cemetery. Trenching took place to the east and north of the existing burial plots. Some 28 trenches were excavated, with nine…
My Department has responsibility for a number of the social inclusion strategies. I am currently considering evidence, advice and briefing on each of those. They are at different stages. When I have an update, I will, of course, bring that to the House.