LISTEN: 'Apology to victims of historical institutional abuse in NI needs to be delivered'

By Q Radio News/PA

Sinn Fein leader Michelle O’Neill has said that an apology to victims of historical institutional abuse in Northern Ireland needs to be delivered on March 11 as promised.

The collapse of the Executive at Stormont had placed the apology, which was pledged by Ms O’Neill and former First Minister Paul Givan, in doubt.

Speaking at Stormont, Ms O’Neill said:

“The failure to deliver an apology is a consequence of the DUP action to walk away.

“My number one priority in this matter is the needs of victims. They deserve an apology, they deserve an apology from the highest level of Government.

“They have been failed at every turn, so my mind turns very quickly to the need to deliver that apology.”

She said Stormont party leaders should work together to ensure the apology be delivered.

“I had asked for the party leaders to come together to discuss this issue.

“We will work together in the time ahead to ensure that apology is delivered but the first port of call has to be the victims themselves.

“We are going to ensure officials engage with them over the coming days to ensure that the apology is delivered as promised on March 11, albeit in a different format.”