AQW 12491/22-27 Written question to the First Minister and deputy First Minister
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether they will include (i) the protection; and (ii) the examination of burial sites of babies in the terms of reference of an inquiry into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses.
Asked by Nuala McAllister MLA on 23 May 2024
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 23 May 2024
- Answer due by
- 10 June 2024
- Answered
- 29 August 202498 days after tabling
- Department
- The Executive Office
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The proposed public inquiry legislation will have powers equivalent to those provided for in the Inquiries Act 2005 as recommended in the Truth Recovery Design Panel Report.
The primary purpose of the inquiry will be to inquire into the facts to establish what happened, why it happened and who was accountable.
The public consultation on the Public Inquiry and Redress Scheme which launched on the 27th June proposed that the Inquiry will have investigatory powers to compel the production of evidence in relation to the deaths and burials of those admitted in the institutions, or those born while their mothers where in the relevant institutions.
Establishing the evidence base in relation to such deaths, including any discrepancies between death and burial records, is a critical first step to ensuring truth, acknowledgement and accountability. The consultation will provide an important opportunity for victims and survivors and other interested parties to comment in detail on these proposals. This will inform Ministerial decisions on the legislation to be introduced to the Assembly. It will also be an area which the non-statutory Independent Panel will consider in its work.
The Inquiry terms of reference will also be informed by the recommendations of the Independent Panel and consultation with the Inquiry Chairperson.
The protection and any examination of burial sites of unmarked graves is a broader issue, extending beyond the planned inquiry.
However, given the linkages to Truth Recovery, TEO officials have been engaging with officials in the Department for Communities in relation to this including on the pre-existing powers and duties in relation to protection and examination. We appreciate this is a sensitive issue – we have asked officials to continue to engage and keep us informed on progress on this important issue.