Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey has again highlighted the ongoing failure to compensate the victims of Historical Institutional Abuse, as recommended in the Hart Inquiry.

Lord Empey said:

“During questions in the House of Lords about reform of the Inquiries Act, 2005, to make special provision for inquiries into child sexual abuse, I asked the Minister, Baroness Vere of Norbiton (Department of Justice) if she would ask the Government to recognise the plight of those who were victims of Historical Institutional Abuse in Northern Ireland.

“I also highlighted to the Minister that the Hart Inquiry had reported years ago; that there was unanimous political support for the implementation of its recommendations yet no compensation had been paid and the victims were being let down by further delay and frustration at a lack of delivery.

“The Minister undertook to take my comments back to the Secretary of State and write to me about my demand for the payment of compensation.

“This is one of the most shameful examples of the present political situation in Northern Ireland; because of the collapse of the DUP/Sinn Fein administration and the failure for almost two years to put an Executive back in office, the victims of Historical Institutional Abuse are carrying the can for the failure of politicians and Government to resolve the crisis.

“When one considers the plight of both our health and education services and the latest bad economic news from Bombardier, it is clear that leaving Northern Ireland to drift is the Government's policy, rather than taking action to ensure the good governance of Northern Ireland.”