Northern Ireland Assembly Committee begins work on scrutinising the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill

The Northern Ireland Assembly’s Committee for the Executive Office is beginning its work on scrutinising the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill.

The Bill will see the establishment of a formal Inquiry into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995. It will also set up a Redress Scheme for the victims and survivors of these institutions.

Hearing from those who will be directly affected by the Bill and the schemes it creates is key to the Committee’s work. The Committee wants to hear from as many people as possible and is holding a series of events to help those who want to get involved understand the process.

The Chairperson of the Committee for the Executive Office, Paula Bradshaw MLA, said: “This is a Bill to make provision relating to one of the most distressing and hurtful episodes in Northern Ireland’s history. At this stage, the Committee’s role is to ensure that the Bill leads to the creation of a truth and redress scheme that is strong, robust, fit for purpose, and capable of delivering the greatest possible impact.

“Getting the foundations of the Inquiry and the Redress Scheme right is essential, and the Committee takes this responsibility extremely seriously.

“That is why it is important to be clear the Committee’s work at this stage is focused on the legislation required to establish the Inquiry – and this is not the beginning of the Inquiry itself.

“We deeply value the lived experiences and personal testimonies of those affected by Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses and as a Committee we’re committed to listening to the people affected in as respectful and open a way as possible.

“Whilst personal narratives and testimony are not the focus at this stage, they remain a vital part of the broader context, having significantly informed the Bill's creation and will help us in our role of scrutinising this important piece of legislation.”

To support those giving evidence, the Committee will hold a series of familiarisation sessions with stakeholders to explain the Bill process.

These sessions will help stakeholders understand the legislative process of the Bill, and in particular the Committee Stage. The first of these took place in Parliament Buildings today (Monday 7 July), with further sessions scheduled for Wave Trauma Centre’s Belfast office on Tuesday 9 September, and via an online session on Thursday 11 September.

For people who would like to make their submissions online, they can do so via Citizen Space https://lk.cmte.fyi/InquiryRedressBill

For anyone who would like to attend find out about one of the familiarisation sessions, or to find out more information please email: cteotrconsultation@niassembly.gov.uk

ENDS

For further information please contact Felicity Templeton at the NI Assembly’s communications office on 07977 635930 or  communications@niassembly.gov.uk

Notes to Editors:

• Whilst the focus of the familiarisations sessions is not on policy proposals contained within the proposed legislation and more about the upcoming process, we are conscious of those who have been directly affected by the issues.
• Support for those affected is available through the Victims and Survivors Services (VSS). Information on how to access support is available here or phone 028 9031 1678 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm). 
• Learn more about the latest progress of the Committee Stage of the Bill and how people can get involved here. 
• As it begins its scrutiny work, the Committee is also launching a 12-week call for evidence today (7 July). It is seeking the views of as many people as possible who will be directly affected by the Bill and the schemes it creates.  Anyone interested in providing feedback can do so by responding to the survey questions here: https://lk.cmte.fyi/InquiryRedressBill 
• For further information on the Committee’s work, please contact the Committee for the Executive Office, Room 247, Parliament Buildings, Ballymiscaw, Stormont, Belfast, BT4 3XX Tel: (028) 90521928 or email cteotrconsultation@niassembly.gov.uk.