Debate contribution: Racist Violence: Assistance for Victims
Debate contribution by Mr Gordon Lyons on .
- MLA
- Mr Gordon Lyons
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 15 June 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Racist Violence: Assistance for Victims
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5614197
Read the official Assembly record
Text
First of all, I am genuinely disappointed that Mr Durkan has jumped on —. Regardless of whether it is "perceived" or not and whether he uses that word or not, he has made a cheap political point. He said that he wanted an end to the Punch and Judy style of politics, and then he jumped straight in on that. That is really poor on his behalf. He should reflect on that. It was not the right thing to lead off with in his questions. The second thing that he needs to do is differentiate between those who were engaged in legitimate and peaceful protests and those who were engaged in violence. It is not right that the two are put into the same category, because they are not the same. It is not right that that happens. As I have said in the past and will say again: the destruction of people's homes does not benefit anyone. That sort of intimidation and violence benefits no one at all. I am very clear and robust on that, despite the attempts of others to misinterpret the situation and the work that my Department — the Department that is under my direction and control — has been involved in. Often, there is more that we would like to do, but our teams have been working non-stop. I have been getting those regular updates. I have instructed my team to ensure that the Housing Executive gets the support that it needs as well. We have had joined-up coordination on that. I hope that people will actually look at how we can resolve the issues that we are talking about rather than just engage in silly political attacks.
284 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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