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A public inquiry into a botched green energy scheme which brought down Northern Ireland\u2019s Government is due to publish its findings later.<\/p>\nA public inquiry into a botched green energy scheme which brought down Northern Ireland\u2019s Government is due to publish its findings later.<\/p>\n
Patrick Coghlin\u2019s investigation into the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) was established in early 2017, in the final days of Stormont devolution.<\/p>\n
Handling of a scheme which threatened to overspend by millions of euro created acrimony and ultimately estrangement between power-sharing partners the DUP and Sinn F\u00e9in.<\/p>\n
It was designed to encourage businesses to burn more sustainable fuels like wood but flaws in its design meant it cost more than originally intended.<\/p>\n
Mr Coghlin\u2019s final report is expected to cover the role of First Minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster, her special advisers and officials.<\/p>\n
In 2016, Northern Ireland\u2019s Audit Office predicted it could cost millions for Stormont to make up a deficit in the public coffers due to the potential overspend.<\/p>\n
This was because there was no cap on subsidy payments designed to cover the extra cost of buying wood-burning boilers and running them.<\/p>\n
The more you burned, the more you earned.<\/p>\n
The scheme was set up by Ms Foster\u2019s then-enterprise department in 2012.<\/p>\n
It was overseen by former DUP minister Jonathan Bell when it was closed after a spike in applications.<\/p>\n
Mr Bell claimed efforts were made to delay the closure.<\/p>\n
By that stage it had become well-known that the subsidy was overly generous and the scheme was flooded with applicants, senior civil servants have alleged.<\/p>\n
The tariff rates have since been cut for boiler owners and this prompted a legal challenge and a war of words with officials.<\/p>\n
Mr Coghlin\u2019s report could lead to reform of how power-sharing politicians, their advisers and civil servants at Stormont conduct their business.<\/p>\n