Recommendations from an expert panel into mother and baby homes need to be implemented urgently, Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said.

The panel has called for a public inquiry to be held into the institutions, as well as immediate redress payments made to those who were held in homes. Women have said they were detained against their will, forced into unpaid labour and made to give up babies for adoption.

“I welcome the recommendations from the expert panel, but there now should be a statutory public inquiry,” said South Belfast MLA Ms Bradshaw.

“Like many campaigners I have worked with, I came to the conclusion long ago a public inquiry will be the only way to compel evidence and get to the detail of what occurred in mother and baby homes.

“Alongside others, I will now examine the details of the proposed role of the non-statutory investigation panel, but I also welcome the recommendation for urgent legislation to enable access to legal records and for urgent redress payments.

“With the last home having closed in 1990, we cannot understate the urgency with which these recommendations must be implemented. Those who suffered in mother and baby homes have already waited far too long for the recognition they deserve, for thorough investigations, and ultimately for truth and justice.

“What we need to see now is an immediate acceptance of the recommendations by the UK Government and Executive, and a sense of real urgency in moving forward with implementing them.”