Sammy's global warming diversion

The additional cost of over £400m to the Northern Ireland public over the next 20 years has nothing to do with Sammy’s unscientific view of global warming.

The additional cost is all to do with the policy decision by Arlene Foster not to follow the Great Britain Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) with its checks and protections and the failure of Arlene Foster as minister to follow up on the concerns of the whistle blowers who had contacted her office and then contacted her department.

Then there is the issue of DUP ministers failing to promptly amend the scheme in June 2015 when senior officials warned of the spiralling costs and risks of it continuing in its original form.

If Northern Ireland had followed the RHI scheme in the rest of the United Kingdom with its cost controls we would not be facing any additional drain on our limited budget over the next 20 years.

Sammy Wilson’s latest global warming intervention reminds me of his diversionary tactics at the Social Development committee when DUP special advisor Mr Brimstone was being questioned.

Mr Brimstone was on the ropes and as a result of Sammy’s “thug” remark to another member, the committee was adjourned.

Sammy Wilson’s intervention in attempting to blame global warming for the RHI scandal has all the appearance of another cynical attempted diversion from the real issues.

Roy Beggs,

Ulster Unionist MLA