Sinn Féin Leader in the North Michelle O’Neill yesterday met with senior civil servants to discuss the next steps in taking forward compensation payments for victims of Historical institutional Abuse.

She also backed an initiative from the Panel of Experts on Redress, which is calling on all party leaders to support a plan to agree and implement a redress scheme for victims and survivors of historic institutional child abuse as soon as possible.

“Urgent action is needed to put in place the necessary legislative and financial measures to meet the needs of victims,” Michelle O’Neill said.

“That has been tragically underlined by the death of Billy McConville who died waiting for this issue to be resolved.

“No more victims of historical abuse should die waiting for their pain to be acknowledged and every effort should be made to deal with this issue in as comprehensive a way as possible.

“Therefore, I was glad to support the Panel of Experts on Redress initiative which can hopefully unlock some of the difficulties and to meet today with the Interim Head of the Civil Service to reiterate the need for officials to engage and meet the victims.

“If the political will is there, I have no doubt that a suitable legal and financial framework can be put in place to begin addressing the needs of victims without further delay.”

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