The publication of the RHI Inquiry report brings to an end a disgraceful saga

But that is not to deny that it was a disgraceful saga with major implications for devolution.

It is damning that Sir Patrick Coghlin thought Stormont was not up to handling a standalone scheme.

Few of the key players in the affair emerge with credit, although some do, such as Janette O’Hagan — the whistleblower whose warnings were repeatedly ignored.

Arlene Foster’s contrite tone yesterday was apt. Leaders must take responsibility for failures under their command.

In both the political and administrative worlds, there was an astonishing lack of curiosity about Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, even long after it was spiralling out of control.

There was also a widely held sense that UK taxpayer funds was free money, a contemptible view given that the Treasury has been so generous to Northern Ireland for so long.

The report criticises a range of people including civil servants. But politicians make decisions, based on instinct, mandate and advice – or should do. Civil servants hardly helped themselves by not recording their advice to politicians. In future many changes are needed, such as no repeat of ministers seeking consent for key decisions from unelected people in their party, as Mairtin O’Muilleoir did of Ted Howell.

Meanwhile, boiler owners who honestly got into the RHI scheme should not be left bankrupt due to the failures of others.