Gordon Lyons
East Antrim · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Implementing other recommendations will require further legislation that, I trust, will come in the next mandate, but I can confirm that 60 of the recommendations have already been separately addressed by either the Department or the commission. I hope that that answers his questions.”
“Yes, I do and am happy to share those. The issue has been raised in the Chamber and through Assembly questions. My position is that we want to make it simple and straightforward for people.”
“They also introduce greater flexibility in financial reporting, allowing requirements to be tailored more appropriately, reducing burdens on smaller organisations and ensuring that the system can adapt over time through secondary legislation.”
“If they want to constitute as a Northern Ireland-only charity, they are able to do that, if they believe that that will bring certain benefits.”
“That is similar to what we are trying to do with trustees. Even though you leave your position as a trustee or your position as someone who holds an office in a charity or who has employment in the office, the commissioner will still be able to make a determination that says, "Even though you have left, we are still making this order to t…”
“I do not believe that it was. That was maybe picked up wrong. We are happy to look at and explore that, but that is the information that I have on it. Again, we will have the Committee Stage of the legislation, so we can look into that then.”
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“Work is being taken forward. There are still a few changes to be made to it and a little more work to be done, because we want to make sure that it is effective and fit for purpose. It is another strategy that we will bring forward in the coming weeks, and, importantly, it will make a real difference. The arts sector in particular has struggled for funding and support, and I want to make sure that we change that.”
“Absolutely. As I said in my earlier answer, I welcome any opportunity to highlight our rich cultural and musical heritage. I am not familiar with exactly what is going on in the Member's area, but I am familiar with next year's event because I have been briefed by the organisers. Certainly, I welcome any opportunity to highlight those who encompass all the musical traditions in Northern Ireland.”
“Those strategies and all the strategies that we talk about will not be fixed in stone. They need to adapt to the times we are living in, and the changes announced by the UK Government highlight how important it is that we are able to respond and help in whatever ways we can. Again, there will be responsibilities for all Departments, but the Department for Communities wants to make sure that it is in a position to help through, for example, employability programmes. I have heard time and time again from disabled people who say that the system works against them and they are not getting help to break down the barriers to work. I want to make sure that we help those people in particular.”
“I hope it will be in the coming weeks, but I do not have a firm timetable. I hope it will be very soon, because they are important issues and a significant part of the economic inactivity challenges that I highlighted previously. I look forward to making sure that we get the Executive's approval and move forward with those strategies as quickly as possible.”
“Of course I will. There is not much point in having a consultation, if you are not prepared to listen to what people say. I am committed to making sure that we hear the different views, and, if groups, individuals or political parties have ideas about what they would like to be included in the strategy, they have the opportunity to say so. Obviously, the Executive parties have already had the opportunity. Others will have the opportunity to do that as well. However, what is important, as other Members have highlighted, is the fact that we need to publish something that is deliverable. There is no point in having a lot of aims and objectives in the strategy, if we are not able to fund and deliver them.”
“As I said in my previous answer, I intend to engage with the sector in the coming days before publication.”
“We are looking at that, and there has been some success with other schemes, such as the Vacant to Vibrant scheme in Belfast and elsewhere. The return on the investment has been incredible, and that should indicate where I will place resources in the coming years.”
“The Department is taking many actions to deal with those issues. I do not have the specifics of the investment in North Antrim, but I am happy to provide that information to the Member. It is key that we invest in our towns and cities, seek regeneration and reuse derelict buildings in particular for social and commercial purposes. I hope that when I make those announcements in the coming weeks, you will see the seriousness of my commitment to that.”
“For many months, I heard of the importance of consulting with the groups before publication. I needed to get Executive approval for publication first. Now that we have that, I want to make sure that we are consulting. We will certainly have the debate in this place after.”
“It is not going to sit on a shelf and do nothing. That is why I wanted to make sure that we publicise something that will be deliverable and make a change. It is going to be very difficult for us to ring-fence a budget for all the measures that are in the anti-poverty strategy because they are all-encompassing. Poverty is not something that we deal with through just one or two simple measures or objectives. There are many different things that we need to do, and that is why it is a cross-departmental strategy involving Health, Education, Justice and Communities. Many of our Departments will have a significant role to play. In fact, so much of what we do — nearly everything that we do — is connected in some way to poverty, so it is not possible for us to simply say, "We're going to ring-fence this funding".”
“As soon as I consult with the groups, I will bring the strategy to the Assembly. Unfortunately, I did not hear the debate that took place today, so I am not sure how useful it was. However, I hope that we will have an opportunity to have a proper conversation on the issues. What we have going out for publication shortly is an anti-poverty strategy that is deliverable and realistic and that, importantly, deals with the root causes of poverty.”
“I always said that I would consult those in the group that was involved with the co-design before I publicised the document. That is meant as no disrespect to the House, but those who were involved in the document's co-design deserve to be consulted as well. I assure the House that I am looking forward to the strategy's publication and to the debate so that we can look at the strategy and see what improvements can be made. Ultimately, we have something that is realistic, deliverable and can change people's lives.”
“The anti-poverty strategy was presented to the Executive at the end of March and its publication for consultation was agreed at the Executive meeting last week. I look forward to hearing from people during the consultation period so that we can have an effective anti-poverty strategy in place.”
“First and foremost, this is the levelling of the playing field, and we have seen that already start to work out. Over the weekend, I received a very kind email from a constituent who, as a victim of domestic abuse and domestic violence, had been waiting for a long time and had always seemed to be passed over. She has now received the home that she had been waiting for for a long time. I hope that she is the first of many people who will be helped by this change in policy that will level the playing field. I do not believe that it will solve all the problems by itself, but it is an important start that we can make. I will continue to support, through the Supporting People programme or other actions that my Department or the Housing Executive can take, those who find themselves in that situation.”
“Absolutely. We work with a number of organisations to ensure that that is the case. In particular, you will see the outworking of that in the Housing Executive's domestic abuse action plan. I believe that that has resulted in some good work with other organisations, including the PSNI. However, if the Member has any further suggestions on how we should engage or who we should engage with, I am more than happy to hear from him.”
“Victims of domestic abuse are provided with support to access and to maintain social housing. When applying for a social home, victims of domestic violence are awarded primary social needs points in the housing selection scheme. Following my decision to remove intimidation points from the housing selection scheme, all victims of violence, abuse and trauma are now able to access the same categories of points within the scheme for violence or the threat of violence.”
“I am more than happy to ask officials to look into that to see where that is on any potential schedule or list and to take evidence, if need be, to determine the need in that area. I am certainly happy for that to happen.”
“I am delighted that we were able to provide that capital grant funding, and we will continue to look for ways in which we can help put buildings to new use. We have many unused buildings throughout our towns and cities and we want to make sure that we are looking at all available options. I hope that that £1·2 million for Austins will be the start and that we will see organisations such as the Inner City Trust work with the Department to make sure that that is delivered.”
“Construction work on the Inner Walled City public realm project began on 6 January, and works are scheduled to last approximately 18 months. Those works have been progressing well, and my officials continue to meet regularly to ensure that this progress continues with full engagement with all local stakeholders.”
“I am grateful to the Member for raising that important issue. I am looking for the most appropriate way forward on this. One option is the possibility of including some of the provisions in Awaab's law in a change in the decent homes standard. That may be the most appropriate response to that. Of course, we will keep that under review.”
“Environmental health officers have powers to deal with damp and associated mould issues through enforcing the statutory minimum fitness standard for all housing tenures. My Department issued guidance on damp and mould to social housing providers in January 2024. The Housing Executive has developed and is delivering an extensive action plan that will address the wide-ranging issues that contribute to damp and mould in its properties.”
“I am very grateful to the Member for his kind comments. I am always open to looking at ideas that can help to make sure that we deliver for the people whom we are sent here to represent. My only caution around that would be that I do not want to set up another body for administration if we can do those things in other ways. I believe that there are good supports there. The Make the Call service is one example of something that does predominantly help older people in our society. Whether it is through the actions that will be in the anti-poverty strategy, the housing supply strategy or money that I have given for winter fuel payments or for Supporting People, I am committed to delivering for older people in Northern Ireland. I am happy to work with anybody else who will help with that.”
“I want to progress those and to make sure that we make a real difference for people right across Northern Ireland. All those will be considered, and we will look at the actions that can be taken that will actually make a difference. However, of course, all those will be subject to Executive agreement, and, therefore, I am not in control of the time frames.”
“I intend to meet, as we previously discussed, the expert panel and other key stakeholders. I intend to do that before the strategy goes out for consultation, but, of course, I will bring it to the House so that Members have the opportunity to question me, and I look forward to that.”
“In 'New Decade, New Approach', 14 social inclusion strategies were mentioned, and I am certainly keen that progress is also made on the delivery of active ageing provision. Too often, the older population can be taken for granted, and we saw that with the Labour Government's decision to cut the winter fuel payment. I will continue with the strategy and the subsequent action plans, and I look forward to taking that work forward, at pace, subject, of course, as always, to Executive agreement.”
“Based on gathered evidence, it is apparent that the existing strategic strategy framework remains appropriate. I have, therefore, decided to retain the existing active ageing strategy, whilst instructing my officials to bring forward a new action plan based on the existing strategy framework.”
“The Member is already looking forward to it being regular, and, of course, I am more than happy for that to be the case, because I go out to community organisations across Northern Ireland and the state of facilities is often raised with me. In fact, Joanne Bunting had me out at Bloomfield Community Association just last week, and we discussed that very issue. This will allow us to gather information and data on the vast number of community facilities across Northern Ireland. I will look towards securing a recurring funding pot to support those facilities, many of which act as a fundamental asset in local communities.”
“I am pleased to confirm that I have asked my officials to develop a programme to provide funding for small-scale renovation and improvement projects for community halls and facilities that deliver benefits to the wider community. I will make a formal announcement on a new programme next month.”
“First of all, I hope that it will put the spotlight on Belfast and Northern Ireland and inspire more people to get involved so that they can understand the rich artistic, cultural and musical traditions in Northern Ireland. We will certainly look at actions that we can take to ensure that there is a legacy from the event.”
“I have not received an invite yet, but I made clear at the meeting with the organisations — Comhaltas and Belfast City Council — that I would be more than happy to support the event next year. However, with it being more than 12 months away, maybe they have not got the invites out just yet.”
“Promoting the event will clearly be the responsibility of Belfast City Council, but I have offered any assistance that the Department can give. We are happy to do that and to support organisations across Northern Ireland that want to promote the culture and music of the area. It is so important that the event is coming to Belfast so that we can showcase not just what the city has to offer but, hopefully, various music and cultural traditions from across Northern Ireland.”
“I met representatives from Belfast City Council and Comhaltas on 26 March, when I advised that I am happy to support the fleadh and look forward to working with partner organisations to ensure that it is a successful event.”
“That strategy will come forward shortly. It is important to note first of all that it will be an Executive strategy, because it is not something that my Department deals with alone. A number of barriers hold people back from getting into work, and some of those employment supports can be delivered through my Department. I will continue to do that, and, hopefully, we will be able to ramp it up in a coordinated way through the disability and work strategy.”
“Yes, absolutely. I have met many disabled people who have told me about their desire to get into work but also about the barriers that exist. We have 325,000 people in Northern Ireland who are economically inactive, 122,000 of whom have a disability or a long-term health condition. We need to make sure that supports are in place to help those people. We will bring forward actions in the anti-poverty strategy and the disability and work strategy to make sure that that happens so that we see a real, positive change in people's lives.”
“We have a number of employment support schemes, some of which have been dependent on direct finance from the UK Government. I hope to be in a position very soon to come to the House and announce the budget decisions that I have made, but I believe in those programmes, first of all, because I believe in the dignity of work and believe that some people need help to get back into work. That should be provided, because it is good for them and good for society but also because of the economic benefit and return that we get from people being in work. I am absolutely committed to that. It is a significant part of my anti-poverty strategy, which I brought forward last week, and I look forward to that being supported fully.”
“My assessment is that, through the £28·9 million that my Department allocated in 2024-25, successful outcomes were delivered, but, if we are to address economic inactivity and see more disabled people thriving in work, we must significantly invest, increase the capacity of the existing provision and implement new provision.”
“The impact of sport in Northern Ireland is almost unquantifiable because the benefits are huge. Across the Departments in Northern Ireland, you will see the impacts, whether they are in Health, Education or, potentially, the justice system, of getting people, especially young people, involved in sport. The grassroots level has a huge impact, which is why I am such a strong supporter of it. I do not have in front of me and nor have I seen the full list of applications, but I reiterate what I said to Mrs Erskine: we have had a total of 37 applications from the performance clubs.”
“Absolutely. I am more than happy to congratulate Dungannon Swifts on their incredible victory. The Member has written to me to ask that I host a reception for the club in Parliament Buildings, which I am more than happy to do. She is absolutely right to highlight the importance of grassroots sport across Northern Ireland. With regard to football. I look forward to attention being turned to the grassroots element, and I hope to make an announcement on that in due course and help grassroots sport across Northern Ireland.”
“A total of 37 applications were submitted under the Northern Ireland Football Fund’s performance programme from 38 different clubs. One application was made jointly by two clubs, and one application was received from a local council in partnership with a performance club. Applications are being considered, and decisions will be taken in the near future. I hope to announce the first projects to be taken forward under the rolling programme of investment from late summer 2025.”
“I have been consistent on the matter and have not trivialised it. As part of my discussions, I made it clear that I am looking to the future and that there is no role for violence or the threat of violence in our society. The Member should not need to ask that question, because I have been entirely consistent on the matter. No matter where it comes from, violence and the threat of violence is wrong. That is not only the case now; it always has been. No one should ever seek to justify it.”
“As the Member will be aware, it is up to the Arts Council to determine funding and everything around that on the basis of its policies. It has its equality and good relations policies, and it is only right that they be fully implemented. Where standards have fallen below what is expected, action should be taken. What I will not do, however, which some are trying to do, is judge the entire bands community by the actions of a few, if they have fallen below expected standards.”
“The Member will be aware that the Arts Council is the primary body responsible for funding the arts in Northern Ireland. It has policies that help it work out where those boundaries and barriers are. For example, it has a good relations policy and an equality policy. <BR /> <BR />As Minister for the arts, I want to make sure that we do everything that we can to showcase the wide range of artistic talents that we have in Northern Ireland. Let me be clear, however, that that should never come at the expense of standing up for what is right and standing against what were clearly, in those circumstances, the wrong comments.”
“I completely agree with the Member; in fact, it is not only right but our responsibility to call out such behaviour. There will always be things that people do in the arts sphere with which we disagree, but Kneecap's comments went far beyond anything that comes anywhere close to being artistic licence. It was the glorification of terrorism. It was also supporting and calling for violence towards MPs. Not only should there be criticism of that but it is incumbent on us to call it out. I call on the UK Government and the Irish Government to consider their actions in that regard.”
“The Member will be aware that, although I oversee local government legislation, it is up to individual councils to make such decisions. I hope, however, that councils will take into consideration the good relations issues that have been raised in light of some of the comments made not only by Kneecap but by all those who seek to engage in what is essentially the glorification of terrorism.”
“Neither my Department nor any of its arm's-length bodies (ALBs) have provided any funding to Kneecap since 2017.”
“I am aware, however, that the aims, objectives and content of any potential strategy must be carefully reviewed and considered across Departments in light of the PFG and human rights considerations and the funding that is available. I intend to ensure that that work is carried out effectively and properly before any potential strategy is presented to my Executive colleagues.”
“<BR /> <BR />As I said, I support the commitment in the motion to equality, diversity and human rights and, of course, the statement that:”
“<BR /> <BR />I am disappointed that Mr Gaston does not feel able to support the amendment in the names of Mr Kingston and Mr Bradley. His concern comes from the fact that we are recognising that it is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. I do not know the details of everything that is involved in those campaigns — there are probably some things on which I would also disagree with them — but recognition should in no way be taken as full-throated support or endorsement of them. We can recognise certain things without being fully supportive of them. I hope that, in light of that, he will reconsider his vote and support the recognition of the Supreme Court ruling and the view that we should follow the outworkings of that to their logical conclusion.”
“Just to be clear, I was not saying that. I am just stating that that specific issue is of significant concern and needs to be handled properly. I have engaged, but I have taken a consistent approach to all those strategies and engaged with those who were involved in the expert panel reports. <BR /> <BR />Mr O'Toole told us that we all needed to treat people like people: that is absolutely what I do. I have worked in many Departments and met many people, and you would be hard-pressed to find anybody who felt that I did not act or engage with them appropriately. He said that we needed to talk to people and try to understand where they are coming from: I hope that that extends to people of all backgrounds, including those who would disagree with him on some of the issues that we are talking about.”
“I have offered him meetings in the past, and we are going to meet again soon to discuss those issues, so it is disingenuous to suggest that I am not willing to engage or meet people on them. I can assure —.”