Debate contribution: Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill: Consideration Stage
Debate contribution by Ms Aisling Reilly on .
- MLA
- Ms Aisling Reilly
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 19 May 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Executive Committee Business
- Heading
- Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill: Consideration Stage
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5549599
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle.
I will pick up my remarks from where I left off earlier. Amendment No 10 creates new clause 12A, which addresses the matter of seeking financial contributions from institutions. We are confident that the House fully recognises and supports the principle that those who are deemed responsible should contribute to a financial redress scheme. We are mindful of the experiences in other jurisdictions in securing contributions from institutions and from Whitehall. We have engaged with the Secretary of State and the Treasury in London in order to seek a meaningful contribution to the redress scheme, given the period of direct rule from 1973 onwards. Those discussions have not resulted in a contribution to date, which is extremely disappointing. As a result, the scheme will be funded from the Executive's block grant. We can, however, assure Members that we will continue to raise the matter with the Secretary of State and the British Government. Let me be clear that this is neither a good nor a fair situation for us to be in. We strongly believe that there should be a line of accountability for those who are deemed to have caused harm, and we fully agree that they should make a contribution. We have also personally engaged on the issue with Irish and Scottish Government Ministers in the past few months, and our officials have considered the available options. However, as was reflected in earlier remarks, all jurisdictions have faced similar challenges. There is a clear consensus that contributions should be sought at the appropriate stage. However, significant legal challenges would arise from mandating contributions in legislation, particularly in advance of a formal investigation. We remain firmly committed to making sure that any investigation is fair and impartial and reflects the core principles of a human rights-based approach. That will be fundamental to securing meaningful contributions. We cannot and will not risk the passage of the Bill. We cannot introduce provisions that risk the Bill's legislative competence. With all that in mind, we tabled amendment No 10.
I will.
346 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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