Debate contribution: USA-NI 250

Debate contribution by Mr Gordon Lyons on 24 March 2026.

MLA

Mr Gordon Lyons

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

24 March 2026

Type

Debate contribution (made as a minister)

Business

Ministerial Statements

Heading

USA-NI 250

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5462878

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I will make a statement on my visit last week to the United States. My goal was a simple one: to highlight the remarkable connection that exists between Northern Ireland and the United States and, in doing so, to bring benefit to our people. This year, we have a unique opportunity to do just that. The 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence represents not only a milestone for our American friends but a chance for us to shine a light on our shared history; our enduring cultural connections; and the immense contributions made by people from this part of the world to the founding and shaping of the United States. I believe that relationships develop and grow because of commonalities: the connections that we share; the traits and attributes that define us; and the ties that bind us together. For us, those ties run deep and reach back hundreds of years. They are woven through the stories of 250,000 resilient Ulster Scots who, in the 18th century, left our familiar shores with little more than their determination, drive and Christian faith. As a result, the Ulster-Scots legacy in America is vast and deep. More than 25 million Americans today identify as being Scots Irish or of Ulster-Scots descent. Their forebears brought with them values of hard work, independence, faith and a fierce commitment to liberty. As America marks that historic anniversary, it is essential that we tell our story proudly and with purpose in order to strengthen tourism, cultural exchange and economic ties. My visit began in Savannah, Georgia, a city with particularly strong historical links to early Ulster-Scots settlers. From the 1730s, many from Ulster arrived in the region, helping to establish settlements such as Queensborough and contributing significantly to the agricultural, religious and community life of colonial Georgia. At Georgia Southern University, I presented a copy of the 'News Letter' from the 18th century that highlighted the passenger ships that were sailing from Belfast and Larne to Savannah. I spoke about the impact of Ulster settlers on that community and encouraged people there to think of their own ancestry and the opportunity to explore more by visiting Northern Ireland, particularly the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI). I also welcomed the opportunity to meet local congressman Buddy Carter to again emphasise the role of people from Ulster. We discussed how our shared heritage continues to foster goodwill and mutual understanding between our peoples, and how events, exhibitions and storytelling can bring more visitors from the American south to experience Northern Ireland's landscapes, festivals and rich culture. From Georgia, I travelled to Washington DC for a series of events, including at the UK embassy, the US Capitol and the White House. At this time of year, Northern Ireland enjoys unparalleled access to senior US political and business leaders. It was right that we engaged and took the opportunity to turn up, stand up and speak up for Northern Ireland. Each of those occasions allowed me, alongside the deputy First Minister, to speak about investment opportunities and the unique appeal of our region as a destination for heritage tourism rooted in transatlantic stories. A particularly moving part of the visit was our time at Arlington National Cemetery. There, I laid a wreath at the grave of Field Marshal Sir John Greer Dill, the distinguished Lurgan-born military leader who served as chief of the British joint staff mission in Washington during the Second World War. His close collaboration with American counterparts, including General George Marshall, helped forge and sustain the Anglo-American alliance at one of its most critical moments. Standing in that place of solemn remembrance surrounded by the graves of so many who served freedom, it was a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made across generations and the unbreakable bonds that tie our nations together. On Wednesday evening, I was privileged to co-host a special reception with the America250 commission on Capitol Hill. Over 250 distinguished guests attended, including senior politicians from both sides of the House and Senate, business leaders, cultural figures and representatives of the diaspora. Among them was former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, other commissioners and key influencers. The event overlooked the Houses of Congress, which provided a fitting backdrop against which to celebrate the Ulster-American connection. In my speech that evening, I outlined the extraordinary role played by early Ulster Scots in the birth of the United States. I highlighted figures such as John Dunlap, born in Strabane, County Tyrone, who, as the official printer to the Continental Congress, worked through the night of 4 July 1776 to produce the first broadside copies of the Declaration of Independence, which were distributed far and wide. I also spoke of Charles Thomson, born near Gorteade, Upperlands, County Londonderry, who served as secretary to the Continental Congress for 15 years. Thomson's hands certified the document. His name appears alongside that of John Hancock on the original printed declaration, and he personally delivered the news to George Washington that Congress had chosen him as the nation's first president. The reception was not just about looking back; it was about looking forward. During the event, I said:

"Over 250 years ago, America provided opportunities for people from Ulster. Tonight, we say to our friends in America: Northern Ireland is a place of opportunity for you. We offer a friendly welcome, stunning scenery, an opportunity to discover your heritage, and a much easier journey than the one your ancestors endured! Come and discover your roots. Come and invest in a place of innovation, creativity, and peace. Come and strengthen the bonds of kinship that have already shaped two great nations."

That was my message to those who were in the room that night. It was also the message that I shared throughout the week to US media organisations, including to eight million people in the New York media market, which carried a promotional feature on my work in this area live during the St Patrick’s Day parade coverage. That is real standout and promotion for Northern Ireland. It demonstrates that turning up can make a difference. That is not all. Today, I am pleased to announce that, building on the excellent cooperation with institutions such as the Library of Congress, I have secured the loan of key historical records for display in Northern Ireland. They include an original printed Declaration of Independence and a letter from Charles Thomson, as well as other historical documents relating to Northern Ireland. The documents will allow our citizens, schoolchildren and visitors to see tangible evidence of how intertwined our histories have been for over two and a half centuries. That will form part of a broader programme of commemorative activities this year supported by funding that I have allocated for local projects that highlight Ulster-Scots and shared contributions to American independence.

I am particularly looking forward to a major new exhibition this autumn, to be hosted by the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI), showcasing original historical documents, including those on loan from US institutions. The US audience is a core constituency for PRONI, and these developments will help drive footfall for roots tourism and enable closer collaborative working with the US National Archives and the Library of Congress.

The visit has reinforced my conviction that relationships matter. Personal connections, shared stories and mutual respect build trust, open doors and create opportunities that last. In an increasingly global world, Northern Ireland must never miss a chance to tell our story — a story of resilience, creativity, innovation and deep historical links. By celebrating the Ulster Scots' role in America's founding, we not only honour our forebears but position Northern Ireland as a compelling destination for heritage tourism, a welcoming place for investment and a partner of choice for cultural and economic collaboration. The ties between Ulster and America have never been stronger. As the US moves into the heart of the America250 celebration, let us seize the moment to showcase what makes Northern Ireland special: our people, our history and our bright future. I commend the statement to the Assembly.

The difference between me and Mr Durkan is that I do not believe that it is a waste of money to promote Northern Ireland. I do not believe that it is a waste of money to get standout for Northern Ireland, to promote the historical ties and to say to people, "Come on over to Northern Ireland". How short-sighted is the Member? He would rather that we stayed at home and put our heads in the sand and did not do the work that needs to be done. I do not have a final cost for the trip yet, but I will be more than happy to get it out there. I have not been behind in highlighting what it was before, because I know the value of the work that we are doing and the benefit that will come with it. Eight million people in the New York media market were able to see the coverage on NBC during the St Patrick's Day parade, and I have announced other initiatives today. I make no apology for Northern Ireland, because, unlike the Member, I want this place to work, and I will continue to promote it.

I have been doing the work on ensuring that we get support out to people. I could do that when I was in the US, because, unlike others, I do not pass it off to other people. I will stand up and do my part —

— to help people who are struggling in Northern Ireland. As Mr Sheehan rightly said, yes, I am doing my job. That is exactly what I am doing; I thank him for acknowledging that. I have the broadest portfolio and responsibilities of any Minister, and I am happy to take on the work of other Departments if they are not willing to stand up and promote Northern Ireland, or to ensure that we get support to those who need it. That work has gone on. I have a number of options on how we can help, but, first, I will need to get that money allocated to my Department. That takes an Executive agreement, not just a proclamation from the Finance Minister or any other Minister. I am working on those things. We will bring forward options. I can do all aspects of my job at the same time. Promoting Northern Ireland is an important element of that, and I will continue to do it.

I would have achieved absolutely nothing, which is what Members on the other side of the House have achieved. Look at what we have been able to do since we started the engagement with the America250 commission. That is an initiative that we took on because we recognised the opportunity for Northern Ireland to get that standout, because nobody contributed to the early foundation of the United States as much as people from Northern Ireland did. Their influence can be seen not just in those who were elected to the White House and to Congress but in the lives of all the people who left here and contributed so much. That is worth doing and worth promoting, and the very negative attitude of others across the House speaks volumes.

Yes, it will tell the full story. In fact, one of the pieces of information that we will share will be letters from Ulster Presbyterians who were some of the first to speak out against slavery. I am more than happy to ensure that we tell the full story. We have to understand all of that and understand the impact that people from Northern Ireland had. There is a positive story to be told, and all of that will be on display.

I was speaking to some US political lobbyists when I was in America, and they could not believe the access that we get. It can be hard to get a meeting with a senator or a congressman. We had multiple people coming to multiple events that we hosted. That is important access. I have already continued to engage with some of those representatives, and I look forward to having them over here in Northern Ireland. Some have already accepted an invitation to come. That has been going out on their own social media channels as well. It is about promoting Northern Ireland; we get access, and I wanted to make sure that we took full advantage of that. We get that week, and it is time to use that and build on it so that we can benefit Northern Ireland and get more people here. Look at the some of the largest employers in our constituencies. Take Foyle as an example. A lot of the major employers there are US companies or have US roots. Those jobs were developed over years by engaging and ensuring that those relationships were developed. It is important that we continue to do that, and I will continue to do it.

First, I do not need a pat on the back from the Member at all; that is what I have Phillip Brett for.

However, I can say this: last week, even though I was in the United States, I continued doing my job. I engaged with my officials and put options together, and I will present options to the Executive. However, I will also require support from Executive colleagues. I am answering —

I am answering the question, but they do not like the answer. I am saying that we are looking at options, because none of that is straightforward. There is no easy way. I know that I digress, Mr Speaker, but none of those options is an easy way in which to get money out to people. That is the very reason that Sinn Féin Ministers batted it over to me; they were unable to do it themselves. They said, "We will just give that to the Communities Minister", because I have been successful in the past in getting support out to people who need it. Therefore, I will play my part and find those options. For me, the important thing is that we give money to people who need it. We have mechanisms by which we can get the money out to those who are —.

If you would listen to the answer, you might learn something.

You might learn something. I do not want that money to go out just to people who are in receipt of benefits, because there are many struggling people out there who are not in receipt of benefits but are the working poor. They need that support. Those are the options that we are considering. That is not what the statement is about, but I am more than happy to answer those questions because I can look after all the different responsibilities in my Department. Unlike others, I will not pass that on to others just because it is difficult.

Of course, I would love to see those documents come to Mid Ulster, but, in the first instance, let us get them to Northern Ireland and ensure that we have the appropriate place for them to go. There is work to be done to ensure that we can display them in the right way and in accordance with the sensitivities of their age etc. It is an opportunity for people to see a little bit of that history, and it is also another hook to bring people to Northern Ireland. That is what is important. We talk about the challenges that we face when it comes to heating and all the economic pressures. Getting more tourists into Northern Ireland, and getting them to spend more money in Northern Ireland, is a good thing. That helps our economy overall. Therefore, people should welcome that work, rather than complain about it.

The Member tells me frequently about the need to invest more in culture, arts and heritage. That is exactly what I am doing. We are seeing investment through that work. That should be recognised. This is a unique year; it is the 250th anniversary year. It is a unique opportunity for us to piggyback on to that so that we can get benefit for Northern Ireland. Those funds are going arts, culture and heritage projects. I hope that that will be welcomed and that people can see the benefit that comes from it.

2,747 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 15:15 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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