Posted on 12/12/2016

by Colum Eastwood MP

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MLA has published a list of questions on the RHI scandal as First Minister Arlene Foster returns to Northern Ireland following her visit to China.

Mr Eastwood said, ‘This weekend further revelations regarding the RHI scandal have begun to seep out. Media stories linking recipients of the RHI scheme with people closely associated with the DUP have further raised public suspicion and concern about this £400 million scandal.

“Instead of a story about staggering incompetence, the perception is now growing that there may also have been something more sinister involved.

“As Arlene Foster returns from her visit to China, it is essential that she moves quickly to answer the many questions which have multiplied in her absence. This is the only way she will be able to dispel the growing perception around this scandal.

“The First Minister must not be allowed to deal with this scandal simply on her own terms and she must not be allowed to give answers only to the questions she deems relevant. The scale of this scandal necessitates that she opens herself up to answer every question and that she gives full account for ‘every single jot and tittle’.

“Those with nothing to hide should have nothing to fear from full transparency.

“This unprecedented scandal has deeply damaged public confidence in our devolved government and there is a responsibility on all of us in public life to uncover and deal with it.

“Therefore our 1 big question for Arlene Foster’s Government partners in Sinn Féin is this – instead of maintaining a sincere silence, why are they not asking these same questions?”

15 questions for the DUP and the First Minister

1. Has the Economy Minister sought legal advice on whether he can publish the names of the recipients of the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme?

2. If so, will the Department publish this legal advice?

3. Did the First Minister and her special adviser(s) advocate the RHI scheme to persons privately and on what scale?

4. If so, how many did she and her special adviser(s) advise to avail of the scheme between the period of September, October and November of 2015 which saw an abnormal peak in applications?

5. On what scale did DUP Ministers and MLAs privately advocate the RHI scheme to persons?

6. How many of these advocacies occurred between the period of September, October and November of 2015 which saw an abnormal peak in applications?

7. Will the Economy Minister publish all departmental papers and briefings regarding the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme?

8. Will the Economy Minister publish all internal departmental correspondence regarding the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme between September, October and November of 2015?

9. Will the First Minister and DUP leader publish all DUP internal departmental correspondence regarding the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme, particularly between September, October and November of 2015?

10. How many DUP members and supporters does the First Minister personally know were beneficiaries of the RHI scheme?

11. Will the Economy Minister provide a breakdown of the recipients of the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme by parliamentary constituency area?

12. Will the Economy Minister publish any documents which were referred to the then Enterprise Minister following a meeting in 2013 between Departmental officials and the whistleblower who raised concerns regarding the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme?

13. Has the First Minister encountered any other whistleblowers during her time as a Government Minister?

14. If so, did she follow precisely the same steps as she did when dealing with the whistleblower in the RHI scheme?

15. Will the Economy Minister explain the Departmental procedure and briefings which led to the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme being described as 'very successful' in a Ministerial statement to the Assembly?