Steve Aiken: RHI scandal showed a despicable attitude towards HM Treasury money that has damaged Northern Ireland’s reputation
This is a substantial report that will need to be digested fully, but the headline findings are a sad indictment, not only on the inability of an executive to run a heating scheme, but of the culture that permeated during the last decade of DUP/Sinn Fein rule.
There are worrying findings around the behaviour of politicians, unelected SPADs and advisors.
Their lack of accountability and responsibility is matched only by their incompetence.
The attitude towards money we were receiving from HM Treasury was despicable and has seriously damaged Northern Ireland’s reputation, potentially irreparably in some quarters of the UK government.
The public expect better when their money is being spent, and they deserve better.
It is essential that there are fundamental reforms implemented both within the civil service and in how government is delivered.
For Northern Ireland to work we need to see good government and leadership.
The RHI Inquiry report demonstrates how lacking that has been.
We need to see an urgent commitment to improvement and an end to the culture that brought about RHI in the first place.
Sadly Sinn Fein’s solo run regarding school closures today suggests they are not yet up to that challenge.
Steve Aiken MLA, Ulster Unionist Party leader