Debate contribution: Appointment of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
Debate contribution by Mr Gordon Lyons on .
- MLA
- Mr Gordon Lyons
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 3 February 2024
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Assembly Business
- Heading
- Appointment of the First Minister and deputy First Minister
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4255139
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I congratulate you, Mr Speaker, as you take up your new role. I know that you will do an excellent job on behalf of the House. Secondly, I thank Mr Allister for the reminder that we have had from him today. Every time he speaks, he reminds us why he is the sole TUV Member on that Bench. He has absolutely nothing to offer the people of Northern Ireland. He has no plan, strategy or record of delivery for the people of Northern Ireland. I am pleased that we are able to be here today to get on with the job at hand. I recognise the significant role that Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly have taken on today. We want them to succeed because we want what is best for the people of Northern Ireland.
With your indulgence, Mr Speaker, I want to say a little about Emma Little-Pengelly. I have known Emma for almost 20 years. I have worked alongside her in many different capacities, and certain things have become apparent to me over that time. She has a very clear love for Northern Ireland. She loves its people, and she is passionate about the future of this place. She already has a record of delivery, especially through her previous role in the Executive Office. I think of the Together: Building a United Community programme, the numeracy and literacy initiatives that she took up, the Urban Villages programme and standing up for the innocent victims of terrorism. I know that she is determined, resilient, compassionate and is often late for meetings, but I also know that she wants to make a difference. Those are characteristics that will serve her well in this new role, and they will also serve all of us. This Executive need to be marked by delivery. There is much work to do for the people whom we represent, and now is the time to get on with it.
323 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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