5. Mr Dickson asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the establishment of a steering group to consider a memorial to victims and survivors, as recommended in the Historical Institutional Abuse inquiry report. (AQO 1724/22-27)

The establishment of a memorial is the final outstanding recommendation of the Hart inquiry report, and we remain committed to its implementation. Following our engagement with the four main victims and survivors’ groups, we are pleased to confirm that there is support for fulfilling that recommendation through having a memorial plaque in Parliament Buildings. We will write to the Speaker to seek approval to progress that and are grateful to him for his support to date.

We recognise that some survivors wish to see a broader programme, including localised memorials. Officials have spoken to local authorities, and we have sought input from representative groups and people who are not associated or affiliated with a particular group. Once potential locations are confirmed, we will work with the Arts Council to ensure that the views of victims and survivors are central in designing a memorial.

Thank you for your answer, First Minister. Given that, as you said, some of the groups are not happy or comfortable with the proposals, how will your office take into account the sensitivities and breadth of concerns expressed by victims and survivors?

I assure you that we will do everything that we can to make sure that their views are taken on board. Those people have been failed at every turn over the years. It is important that we get this right. We are committed. The deputy First Minister and I have met some of the groups and individuals and want to continue to engage with them, because their voices are crucial.

We must get the remaining part of the jigsaw — memorialisation — right. We are making strides with memorialisation in this Building, but, wider than that, we will work with the Arts Council on what other form of memorial would be appropriate. As the Member recognised, there are different views. Some feel that an education programme would be the best way to go, and some feel that plaques are appropriate. Everybody will have a different view, but we must make sure that we have a forum in which everybody's view is heard, and I can assure you that that is the determination of the deputy First Minister and me.

I am glad to hear of the intention for a wider programme. First Minister, will you detail how you will ensure that the voices of victims and survivors are heard and that they are engaged throughout the widening of the programme?

As I said, the deputy First Minister and I have met some of the groups because we want them to know that they are being heard in our office and that, as we advance the memorialisation, we do so in a way that will be received well by them and will make a difference to them and their experience. We will ensure that their voices are heard. As I said, we have made progress in this Building, but, as part of our next steps, officials will continue to engage directly with victims and survivors not only through the representative groups but by direct outreach to those who are not affiliated with any of those groups.

We also envisage that the additional element to all that will be that the Arts Council will provide a structured forum for victim and survivor input. Therefore, they will get to help shape the final memorial and what it might look like, what form it might take and what its wording might be. They will be part and parcel of helping to shape memorials in a way that reflects their personal experience and their wishes. We hope that that broad approach will be the best way for us to ensure that the widest possible range of voices is heard as we develop the plans further.