14/02/2024
Communities Minister Outlines Key Priorities For Dept
Northern Ireland's new Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has outlined his key priorities to "deliver positive change for people in Northern Ireland".
Minster Lyons said: "I am honoured to be appointed as Minister for Communities. This department has a vital role to play in our society, providing high quality services to individuals and families, as well as supporting the voluntary and community sector, culture, heritage, local government, regeneration and sport.
"My key priority is to deliver real, positive and lasting change for the people in Northern Ireland."
The Minister continued: "My strategic focus is on those programmes and policies that are transformative for people’s lives and for our society.
"There is a huge task ahead, particularly due to the budgetary constraints, but I am up for the challenge. I will be looking carefully at every pound spent to make sure it goes to those who need it most and to deliver positive impact for people.
"That will include big issues like housing, so that people can have access to safe, warm and affordable homes, and major projects across the sports portfolio. It also means continuing with initiatives to boost employability and promote regeneration across Northern Ireland.
"Over the coming weeks I will be actively engaging with all stakeholders and partners I look forward to getting out to see initiatives at first hand and hearing a wide range of views and experiences.
"As I said when I took up my post, I believe this is an Executive which has to be marked by delivery. I will play my part to the full extent to realise opportunities for all the people of Northern Ireland."
Minster Lyons said: "I am honoured to be appointed as Minister for Communities. This department has a vital role to play in our society, providing high quality services to individuals and families, as well as supporting the voluntary and community sector, culture, heritage, local government, regeneration and sport.
"My key priority is to deliver real, positive and lasting change for the people in Northern Ireland."
The Minister continued: "My strategic focus is on those programmes and policies that are transformative for people’s lives and for our society.
"There is a huge task ahead, particularly due to the budgetary constraints, but I am up for the challenge. I will be looking carefully at every pound spent to make sure it goes to those who need it most and to deliver positive impact for people.
"That will include big issues like housing, so that people can have access to safe, warm and affordable homes, and major projects across the sports portfolio. It also means continuing with initiatives to boost employability and promote regeneration across Northern Ireland.
"Over the coming weeks I will be actively engaging with all stakeholders and partners I look forward to getting out to see initiatives at first hand and hearing a wide range of views and experiences.
"As I said when I took up my post, I believe this is an Executive which has to be marked by delivery. I will play my part to the full extent to realise opportunities for all the people of Northern Ireland."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 March 2026
Easy Trips from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland
Let’s be honest, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to a quick getaway. Living in Northern Ireland means that a proper change of scenery is never more than a couple of hours away, and heading down south for a few days has become the default setting for a stress-free break.
Easy Trips from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland
Let’s be honest, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to a quick getaway. Living in Northern Ireland means that a proper change of scenery is never more than a couple of hours away, and heading down south for a few days has become the default setting for a stress-free break.
02 January 2025
68 People Died On Northern Ireland Roads In 2024
Sixty-eight people lost their lives on Northern Ireland's roads in 2024, according to provisional figures released by the PSNI today. This represents a slight decrease from 2023, when 71 people died in road traffic collisions. Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd reminded the public of their shared responsibility for road safety.
68 People Died On Northern Ireland Roads In 2024
Sixty-eight people lost their lives on Northern Ireland's roads in 2024, according to provisional figures released by the PSNI today. This represents a slight decrease from 2023, when 71 people died in road traffic collisions. Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd reminded the public of their shared responsibility for road safety.
29 May 2012
Access To Republic Of Ireland Digital TV Channels Confirmed For Northern Ireland
TV viewers in Northern Ireland will be able to watch TG4 and RTÉ One and Two on Freeview following digital TV switchover, the UK Government confirmed today.
Access To Republic Of Ireland Digital TV Channels Confirmed For Northern Ireland
TV viewers in Northern Ireland will be able to watch TG4 and RTÉ One and Two on Freeview following digital TV switchover, the UK Government confirmed today.
13 February 2002
Reid tells Americans 'Northern Ireland people understand'
The Secretary of State John Reid has told the Americans that the people of Northern Ireland understand how they feel in the face of the threat of terrorism.
Reid tells Americans 'Northern Ireland people understand'
The Secretary of State John Reid has told the Americans that the people of Northern Ireland understand how they feel in the face of the threat of terrorism.
10 February 2026
£1bn Local Power Plan To Empower Northern Ireland Communities
A major new strategy to decentralise energy production has been launched with the UK Government and Great British Energy (GBE) unveiling the Local Power Plan. Backed by up to £1 billion in funding, the initiative is designed to give communities across Northern Ireland the power to own, manage, and profit from their own clean energy infrastructure.
£1bn Local Power Plan To Empower Northern Ireland Communities
A major new strategy to decentralise energy production has been launched with the UK Government and Great British Energy (GBE) unveiling the Local Power Plan. Backed by up to £1 billion in funding, the initiative is designed to give communities across Northern Ireland the power to own, manage, and profit from their own clean energy infrastructure.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.