Menu
07/12/2016
First Minister Slammed Over RHI Scheme
The SDLP has hit out at First Minster Arlene Foster over the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme in Northern Ireland.
Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone was speaking after a Spotlight investigation into the scandal was broadcast detailing the flaws in the scheme along with the heavy cost it carried for the public purse.
Mr McGlone described Mrs Foster's actions as "unforgivable".
He said: "It would seem this Executive, who claim we can’t afford to keep schools open or the streetlights on, have millions to spare to spend on catastrophic ministerial blunders. The next time we hear the DUP or Sinn Féin explaining why nurses cannot have a pay rise or why more houses cannot be built, remember that they are throwing away millions every year because Arlene Foster wasn’t paying attention.
"This scandal has been building for several months and credit must be given to the Comptroller and Auditor General for their work in unravelling this mess. However, the Spotlight investigation has made clear to the public just how disastrous the mismanagement was and the huge repercussions it now has for all of us.
"True to form, the First Minister feels she is above answering the difficult questions and rather than taking responsibility for her mistake, she has tried to shift the blame. Her lack of humility on this issue is breathtaking and grossly insulting to the public she has short changed.
"Arlene Foster may think that now she's in higher office that she has got away in the smoke but the buck stops with her and she can no longer evade this critical issue. Jonathan Bell must also account for his negligence while he was in charge of DETI and RHI. Together they mortgaged millions from the next generation and watched as it went up in smoke. They must answer for it."
Ulster Unionist MLA Harold McKee said: "The sheer maladministration of the RHI has left a crippling legacy on Northern Ireland's finances for the next 20 years, and given the pressures facing our schools, hospitals and support for small businesses, that is simply unforgivable.
"No matter how hard she tries to distance herself from it, Arlene Foster's fingerprints are all over this fiasco. She was the Minister in charge of the Enterprise Department when this scheme was drawn up and she was still the Minister when the scheme was introduced. In fact, Arlene Foster was still the Minister in charge at DETI when the scheme was meant to be reassessed for approval in April 2015, yet through a litany of failures this never happened.
"Given her intricate involvement in this scheme, it makes it all the more astonishing that less than six weeks ago Arlene Foster said ‘Detail is important. For someone from a legal background like myself this is a given’. Unfortunately for Northern Ireland’s finances, her supposed eye for detail appears not to have been applied to this scheme."
(CD/MH)
Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone was speaking after a Spotlight investigation into the scandal was broadcast detailing the flaws in the scheme along with the heavy cost it carried for the public purse.
Mr McGlone described Mrs Foster's actions as "unforgivable".
He said: "It would seem this Executive, who claim we can’t afford to keep schools open or the streetlights on, have millions to spare to spend on catastrophic ministerial blunders. The next time we hear the DUP or Sinn Féin explaining why nurses cannot have a pay rise or why more houses cannot be built, remember that they are throwing away millions every year because Arlene Foster wasn’t paying attention.
"This scandal has been building for several months and credit must be given to the Comptroller and Auditor General for their work in unravelling this mess. However, the Spotlight investigation has made clear to the public just how disastrous the mismanagement was and the huge repercussions it now has for all of us.
"True to form, the First Minister feels she is above answering the difficult questions and rather than taking responsibility for her mistake, she has tried to shift the blame. Her lack of humility on this issue is breathtaking and grossly insulting to the public she has short changed.
"Arlene Foster may think that now she's in higher office that she has got away in the smoke but the buck stops with her and she can no longer evade this critical issue. Jonathan Bell must also account for his negligence while he was in charge of DETI and RHI. Together they mortgaged millions from the next generation and watched as it went up in smoke. They must answer for it."
Ulster Unionist MLA Harold McKee said: "The sheer maladministration of the RHI has left a crippling legacy on Northern Ireland's finances for the next 20 years, and given the pressures facing our schools, hospitals and support for small businesses, that is simply unforgivable.
"No matter how hard she tries to distance herself from it, Arlene Foster's fingerprints are all over this fiasco. She was the Minister in charge of the Enterprise Department when this scheme was drawn up and she was still the Minister when the scheme was introduced. In fact, Arlene Foster was still the Minister in charge at DETI when the scheme was meant to be reassessed for approval in April 2015, yet through a litany of failures this never happened.
"Given her intricate involvement in this scheme, it makes it all the more astonishing that less than six weeks ago Arlene Foster said ‘Detail is important. For someone from a legal background like myself this is a given’. Unfortunately for Northern Ireland’s finances, her supposed eye for detail appears not to have been applied to this scheme."
(CD/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 March 2012
American Firm To Create 50 New Jobs
An American financial services firm is to create up to 50 new jobs in Belfast. Economy Minister Arlene Foster announced that Cowen International is to set up a technology research and development centre in the city. The centre will provide technology and support services to the Cowen Group and will be in charge of developing new technologies.
American Firm To Create 50 New Jobs
An American financial services firm is to create up to 50 new jobs in Belfast. Economy Minister Arlene Foster announced that Cowen International is to set up a technology research and development centre in the city. The centre will provide technology and support services to the Cowen Group and will be in charge of developing new technologies.
10 March 2010
Debt Tackled Through Assembly Bill
NI people who are in serious debt are to be offered a 'way-out'. The Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has introduced a Bill in the Assembly which will pave the way for a Debt Relief Scheme in Northern Ireland. The scheme will help people burdened by debt which they have no realistic prospect of being able to repay.
Debt Tackled Through Assembly Bill
NI people who are in serious debt are to be offered a 'way-out'. The Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has introduced a Bill in the Assembly which will pave the way for a Debt Relief Scheme in Northern Ireland. The scheme will help people burdened by debt which they have no realistic prospect of being able to repay.
25 November 2020
Up To Three Households Allowed To Mix Over Christmas
Up to three households could be allowed to mix over the Christmas period, under a set of temporary arrangements to be agreed by the Executive. First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill have signalled temporary arrangements that will be put in place between 23 and 27 December.
Up To Three Households Allowed To Mix Over Christmas
Up to three households could be allowed to mix over the Christmas period, under a set of temporary arrangements to be agreed by the Executive. First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill have signalled temporary arrangements that will be put in place between 23 and 27 December.
21 June 2017
Arlene Foster Letter On Same-Sex Marriage Released
A letter Arlene Foster wrote to the Scottish Government has been released asking that it restrict gay couples from Northern Ireland converting their same sex marriages in Scotland. The letter was signed by the DUP Leader and was sent when she was Finance Minister in 2015.
Arlene Foster Letter On Same-Sex Marriage Released
A letter Arlene Foster wrote to the Scottish Government has been released asking that it restrict gay couples from Northern Ireland converting their same sex marriages in Scotland. The letter was signed by the DUP Leader and was sent when she was Finance Minister in 2015.
08 December 2016
RHI Scheme: Foster Called To Appear Before Public Accounts Committee
First Minister Arlene Foster has been called to appear before the Public Accounts Committees following shocking revelations surrounding the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme in Northern Ireland. An investigation by Spotlight revealed several flaws in the scheme along with the heavy cost it carried for the public purse.
RHI Scheme: Foster Called To Appear Before Public Accounts Committee
First Minister Arlene Foster has been called to appear before the Public Accounts Committees following shocking revelations surrounding the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme in Northern Ireland. An investigation by Spotlight revealed several flaws in the scheme along with the heavy cost it carried for the public purse.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
