Ministers welcome progress by the Truth Recovery Independent Panel

The First Minister and deputy First Minister met with the Co-Chairs of the Truth Recovery Independent Panel to discuss progress on their work to help victims and survivors.

The First Minister and deputy First Minister met with the Co-Chairs of the Truth Recovery Independent Panel to discuss progress on their work to help victims and survivors.

Ministers were told that, to date, over one hundred people have provided testimony to the Panel.

The 10-person Panel, led by Co-Chairs Professor Leanne McCormick and Professor Sean O’Connell, is carrying out an independent investigation focused on those affected by Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses, and their pathways and practices.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill said:

“Victims and survivors have waited far too long to have access to the truth, acknowledgement and accountability. We welcome the progress made by the Independent Panel and would encourage more people to come forward and share their testimonies.

“It is vitally important that all victims and survivors have the opportunity to share their experiences, and this process offers a safe and supportive forum for them.

“I want to thank all those people who have come forward and I hope it will make others feel empowered to speak to the Panel so that we can shine a light on this dark and shameful period of our past.”

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said:

“The work of the Independent Panel is so important as it is vital we hear the personal testimonies of those who have been impacted by what happened in these institutions.

“I welcome the fact that over 100 people have shared their experience so far but we know there are others who may be considering making a contribution which is why we have agreed to extend the timeframe for sharing those experiences by six months.

“It will also allow for the continuation of the Panel’s work in relation to the 4,500 archival items identified, working closely with the Public Records Office, ahead of the public inquiry.”

Co-Chairs of the Independent Panel said: “We welcomed the opportunity to provide an update to Ministers and set out the clear benefits that an integrated investigation, including an Independent Panel, can provide.

“We have a specialised Testimony Team, who have been trained to support people in sharing their experiences. We encourage all those with knowledge or experience of the institutions or their pathways and practices, to contact our Testimony Team.”

Notes to editors: 

1. Caption: Pictured left to right are: deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Independent Panel Co-Chairs Professor Sean O’Connell and Professor Leanne McCormick, and First Minister Michelle O’Neill.
2. Anyone who wishes  to share their experience with the Truth Recovery Independent Panel, please contact their Testimony Team by email at testimony@independentpanel.org.uk or by telephone on 028 9052 0263 (Open Monday – Friday 11am - 12pm and 3pm - 4pm or leave a voicemail on their secure answering service any time outside of these hours.) or visit the website https://www.independentpanel.truthrecoveryni.co.uk/
3. The Independent Panel Co-Chairs are available for interview on the testimony process. For Panel’s media enquiries please contact louise@brownoconnor.com or chloe@brownoconnor.com.
4. TEO press office will manage media enquiries for The Executive Office.
5. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
6. The Independent Panel was appointed by The Executive Office in April 2023, as part of the Truth Recovery Programme. This integrated investigation is seeking truth, acknowledgement and accountability around Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses in NI. It involves two separate phases that work together: a non-statutory Independent Panel (with no legal powers) and a full statutory Public Inquiry (with legal powers).
7. The 10-person Panel includes practitioners from areas of expertise including oral and social history; archiving; linguistics; trauma informed practice; human rights law and genealogy as well as three Victim-Survivor Representatives to ensure a victim-survivor centred approach.
8. The Independent Panel’s work is focused on gathering testimony (from victims-survivors, their relatives and those who worked or volunteered in the institutions), location and preservation of records, and preparation of guidance to help victims-survivors to access records which could hold information about their identities e.g. adoption or birth records. When this work is complete, the Independent Panel will publish a report on its findings and recommendations, including on areas for the Public Inquiry to look into further.
9. In May 2024, the Panel published an Interim Report, detailing the progress of its work to date. This included recommendations for Ministers, one of which was to agree to a six-month extension to its remit. The report is available here: www.independentpanel.truthrecoveryni.co.uk/publications/interim-report-may-2024
10. In September 2024, the public consultation on the public inquiry and redress scheme closed. There were 269 responses, and this will shape upcoming legislation.

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