Institutional abuse campaigners 'reassured' by Peter Robinson

BBC News
July 21, 2014

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-28405205

Institutional abuse campaigners met with Peter Robinson at Stormont on Monday to discuss future funding for the inquiry

Peter Robinson blamed Sinn Féin 'foot-dragging' for putting the inquiry at risk

Institutional abuse campaigners say they have been "reassured" by the First Minister Peter Robinson that money will be available for the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry (HIA).

It follows Mr Robinson's warning that HIA funding was under threat due to a dispute over Stormont finances.

On Monday, campaigners met Mr Robinson at Stormont to raise their concerns.

The inquiry is examining allegations of abuse in NI care homes between 1922 and 1995.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme after the meeting, abuse campaigner Margaret McGuckian said she was happy with the outcome.

"He says now the parties have got together and have agreed the money was there. It will be signed off officially tomorrow, and we can say tonight that the money is there.

"Maybe after the pressure we applied and even listening to the victims on radio and TV, I think he recognises now that it shouldn't have happened and we're happy and reassured that the money was there."

'Foot-dragging'

Mr Robinson had accused Sinn Féin of "foot-dragging" over the latest financial monitoring round.

The abuse campaigners earlier met with Sinn Féin at Stormont before a meeting was arranged with Mr Robinson.

After her party met the campaigners, Sinn Féin Junior Minister Jennifer McCann said: "Despite claims to the contrary by the DUP's Sammy Wilson funding can be made available immediately for the historical abuse inquiry.

"As a former finance minister, Sammy Wilson is well aware that money has been released in the past outside the agreed Programme for Government or routine monitoring rounds to provide funding for flood relief and in the aftermath of the winter snow crisis.

"Sinn Féin is supporting the victims' call for the funding needed by the HIAI to continue its investigation into the abuse of children in homes to be ring-fenced."

DUP MP Sammy Wilson said it was clear where the blame should lie for the confusion over the future of the inquiry.

He said: "I hope that they (the victims) persuade Sinn Féin to sign off on the monitoring round, because of course, that's how the money will be released for the inquiry.

"If that's not done, then the money can't be released, it's as simple as that and Peter Robinson has given the warning of what the consequences of the non-release of that money will be."

Last Friday, Mr Robinson said: "The HIA is one of the areas which requires funds from the June monitoring round.

"The accounting officer from the department, I believe, would be acting illegally if he was to allow the inquiry to proceed unless there is funds available to pay for it."