Debate contribution: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Gordon Lyons on 15 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Gordon Lyons
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 15 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Conversion Practices (Criminalisation) Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5706321

Text

I thank the Member for giving way. Does that not set out clearly why we need to have proper definitions in the Bill? What she has just mentioned could be interpreted by a young person as an attempt to suppress. As we do not have the word "suppression" defined in the legislation, we have to go to the dictionary definition, which is anything that includes a holding back. Asking those questions could be viewed as holding someone back in that way. At that time or later, someone could say, "This is causing me harm". It would engage all the tests that Mr Tennyson set out. That is why it is so important that we get it right. The Bill, as it stands, does not do that.

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

Assessment

Awaiting analysis

This record has not been analysed yet. It is not counted in any total until it has been assessed.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reviews every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification