Debate contribution: Homelessness: State Responsibility

Debate contribution by Mr Gordon Lyons on 15 June 2026.

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: Homelessness: State Responsibility
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5614229

Text

Absolutely. I was involved in the past few days in ensuring that the Housing Executive had the resources that it needed. I also activated the financial assistance scheme to make sure that any additional support that was needed for the voluntary and community sector was provided.
I am there to support the front-line staff. I do not do the job myself, but I need to make sure that the policies and procedures are in place. I have also taken the time to speak to those who have been affected. That is why it is so disgraceful that we have seen other parties attack in that way again and again. We know, however, that Sinn Féin has form when it comes to that, because the Chair of the Committee has been caught out before in what he said about the Place-Name Project. He made that up. He completely made that up. He has made up more accusations this afternoon.
We all know that Sinn Féin's relationship with the truth is distant at best, but we are getting into crazy territory. It is the last party that should speak about violence. My job is to make sure that the Housing Executive has what it needs. I will continue to do that and to make sure that that support is in place. The approach that Sinn Féin has taken is disgraceful.

228 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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