Week commencing 29 June 2026

The Northern Ireland Assembly passed the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill at Final Stage on Tuesday 30 June, clearing the way for Royal Assent and, after secondary legislation expected in the autumn, the formal establishment of the statutory inquiry. A chair has not yet been appointed.

The Undercover Policing Inquiry sat four days, continuing its Tranche 3 (Phase 3) evidence hearings into Special Demonstration Squad deployments. Elsewhere the two Northern Ireland health inquiries that reported in June remained without a government response on record.

Sittings

• Undercover Policing Inquiry: four sitting days, Monday 29 June to Thursday 2 July, Tranche 3 (Phase 3). Transcripts for Days 10, 12 and 13 of the phase were published.

Reports and milestones

• Mother and Baby Institutions Inquiry (NI): Bill passed Final Stage 30 June.

Response watch

• Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry: report published 18 June; no government response on record.
• Urology Services Inquiry: report published 24 June; no government response on record.