Debate contribution: Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill: Further Consideration Stage
Debate contribution by Mr Stewart Dickson on .
- MLA
- Mr Stewart Dickson
- Party at the time
- Alliance Party
- Date
- 22 June 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Executive Committee Business
- Heading
- Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill: Further Consideration Stage
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5638630
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Like my colleagues have done, particularly all those who are members of the Committee for the Executive Office, I acknowledge the bravery and resilience of many of those who have been wronged and failed by those appalling institutions. I trust that the legislation will go some way to redressing their hurt and pain, and that it will provide those people with the space in which to heal and move beyond all that. I will make reference to three of the amendments in the group. Amendment No 4 concerns the provision of documentation. We, as a Committee, had a very fruitful and lengthy discussion with the Public Record Office about how records are being preserved and can be procured for the public inquiry. I agree with Mr Brett: amendment No 6 is important because it will deal with persons who refuse to provide information or evidence to the inquiry. Amendment No 8 to clause 20 is a tidying-up amendment that will allow the Committee to make interim reports, which will be of benefit to the inquiry process. Finally, I thank the members of the public and those who have been directly affected for being here today and staying with us throughout the process. I also thank the members of the Committee for the work that has been done to agree the amendments in group 1. I particularly place on record my thanks to the officials and the Bill Clerks, who have been so helpful to the Committee in the very delicate area of work that we have undertaken, and to both junior Ministers for the diligence that they have given to the work.
272 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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