Finance Minister outlines terms of RHI inquiry

Finance Minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir has outlined the details of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Inquiry including the Inquiry Chair and its terms of reference.

The Minister said: “I now have in place an independent Inquiry Chair, distinguished retired Lord Justice of Appeal, Sir Patrick Coghlin, who was nominated to chair the Inquiry by the Lord Chief Justice.

“I am very pleased Sir Patrick has agreed to lead the Inquiry and I know that he will be unflinching in his pursuit of the truth and scrupulous in his analysis of the evidence.”

Sir Patrick will be assisted by two panel members and independent assessors as needed.

There is no intention to publish an interim report.

The RHI scheme was designed to encourage businesses to use green energy instead of fossil fuels but ended up paying out around £1.60 for every £1 spent on wood to fuel biomass boilers.

There have been allegations of empty sheds being heated in a "cash for ash" scandal.

• The probe will investigate:
• The development and roll-out of the scheme by the then Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, under minister Arlene Foster.
• The signing off of the scheme by the then Department of Finance and Personnel.
• Cost controls and tariffs.
• Delays in implementing cost control measures before November 2015 which allowed a spike in the number of applicants that autumn.
• The closure of the scheme in February last year.

“The independent investigation will have the powers to compel witnesses and evidence and I pledge that as minister I will ensure the inquiry is free of ministerial control or interference. I call on all parties to make a similar pledge in relation to any future Finance Minister,” Mr Ó Muilleoir continued.

“There is an urgent need to get to the facts of the RHI Scheme, to identify negligence, incompetence, alleged corruption and abuse, and to hold those responsible to account.

“I am aware that the RHI issue goes beyond financial matters to questions of governance and probity. By getting to the truth of the RHI scandal, this inquiry team, led by the distinguished Sir Patrick Coghlin will, I believe, address those wider issues, and, therefore, go some way to rebuilding the shattered public confidence in the institutions.”

Work is due to get underway on 1 February and will report as expeditiously as possible.