First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have officially unveiled a memorial plaque at Parliament Buildings to honour the victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse.

The plaque serves as a permanent acknowledgement of the children who suffered abuse in residential institutions across Northern Ireland over several decades. Its installation fulfils the final recommendation of the Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) Inquiry, which was chaired by the late Sir Anthony Hart.

The wording on the memorial was developed in consultation with victims and survivors to ensure their voices were accurately represented. The ceremony at Stormont was attended by survivors, representative groups, and the families of victims who have passed away. First Minister Michelle O'Neill said: "Today we honour the victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse and acknowledge the profound wrong done to children who should have been protected and cared for. What happened was never their fault. This memorial stands as a permanent acknowledgement of those failures by individuals, organisations and the State, who had a duty to protect children. The wording of the plaque reflects the voices of victims and survivors, whose courage in speaking out made this possible."

The deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, added: "Victims and survivors have courageously shared their experiences and brought truth into the open. Their voices have shaped this memorial and continue to guide how we acknowledge the past and protect children today. We remember those who did not live to see recognition, and we remain committed to listening to survivors and ensuring their experiences help build a safer future for every child."

The unveiling marks a significant milestone in the ongoing process of acknowledgement and remembrance for those impacted by the failures of the past.