The South Belfast MLA, who chairs the Committee for the Executive Office at Stormont, stated: "Today's statement confirming, as we saw in the legislative programme, that legislation will now be consulted upon to provide for a statutory public inquiry and initial financial redress scheme is a welcome step for all those who, over generations, were affected by the Mother & Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses scandal.
"It is important that the twelve-week consultation period is put to maximum use and that information gathered during it is used effectively to deliver the best possible legislation for introduction during this calendar year. There is no further time to be lost.
"There should also, as part of the process, be a focus on learning from the redress scheme set up for victims and survivors of Historical Institutional Abuse of Children. We must also be clear throughout that what is needed is redress and recognition of the suffering and harm caused.
"For victims and survivors, there remains a long journey still ahead, but at least now we are clearly on the right road."