18 January 2013
1.These Explanatory Notes relate to the Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse Act (Northern Ireland) 2013 which received Royal Assent on 18 January 2013. They have been prepared by the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) in order to assist the reader in understanding the Act. They do not form part of the Act and have not been endorsed by the Assembly.
2.The Notes need to be read in conjunction with the Act. They are not, and are not meant to be, a comprehensive description of the Act. So where a section or part of a section does not seem to require an explanation or comment, none is given.