Explanatory Memorandum

Inquiry Into Historical Institutional Abuse Act (Northern Ireland) 2013

2013 CHAPTER 2

18 January 2013

Commentary on Sections

Section 7: Public access to inquiry proceedings and information

This section requires the chairperson to take whatever steps he judges reasonable to ensure that the public (including reporters) can attend the inquiry or see and hear a transmission of it, and can access evidence available to it. Recording and broadcasting of inquiry proceedings is at the presiding member’s discretion.

Subsection (3) makes clear that the acknowledgement forum’s proceedings are to be held in private.