The latest revelations over the controversial Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme in Northern Ireland have been described as "shocking" by the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).
UUP leader Mike Nesbitt said the revelations on the BBC's Nolan Show plunge the Executive into further disrepute.
Mr Nesbitt said: "This calls into question Arlene Foster's public statements so far that no advice or recommendations were brought regarding the RHI scheme. If she didn't receive Andrew McCormick's advice to close down the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), who did?
"Arlene Foster had just become Finance Minister when Permanent Secretary McCormick was expressing concerns about the scandalous RHI scheme. It would be appropriate for the Finance Minister to be made aware of a scheme with such significant financial implications for the country. If Andrew McCormick was expressing such concerns it would have been to Jonathan Bell, Arlene Foster's colleague and successor as Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Investment. Are we to believe that DUP Ministers don't talk to each other?"
Mr Nesbitt said more questions have been raised and said the Executive needs to rip up their agenda for their meeting and put the RHI scandal at the top of their list.
He continued: "The Public Accounts Committee and the Northern Ireland Audit Office will have to reshape their thinking. And I will be speaking to Jim Nicholson MEP who has already expressed concern this morning that this scheme has gone against state aid rules and raises the spectre of EU infraction and potential fines that could take this scandal to a whole new level."
(CD/LM)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
29/11/2024
Plans for a new housing development in Carney, Co. Sligo, have significantly progressed after a contract for construction was signed by County Council members. The development, which was designed by Hamilton Young Architects and will be constructed by Kilcawley Construction, consists of 25 homes ...
29/11/2024
South Dublin-based Killinarden Park has officially opened following improvement works. Nicholas de Jong Associates carried out the planning and design work on the project with Clonmel Enterprises Ltd civil contractors realising the vision on the ground. Enhancements to the park include provision ...
29/11/2024
Water supply has been restored to the vast majority of impacted areas in Galway City following repairs, Uisce Éireann has announced. Detection crews from the company isolated the source of a significant burst which occurred in the Docks area of the city yesterday, with works being carried out this ...
29/11/2024
A refurbished running track and new padel courts were officially opened in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, this week. An Taoiseach Simon Harris officially opened the track and padel courts, based at Shoreline Leisure, while also present were the Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Paul O Brien, ...
29/11/2024
The Construction Employers Federation (CEF) and Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) have raised major concerns regarding the approved proposal to increase the Standard Connection Charge for a newbuild house by 123% in 2025. The proposal, put forward by NIE Networks to the ...
29/11/2024
Green infrastructure improvements have been successfully completed at Claudy Country Park in L'Derry. Upgrades to the play area at the location as well as safety and access works in the wider park were carried out as part of the green infrastructure enhancement project, which was made possible by ...
28/11/2024
Plans to build 674 new homes in the Clooney Road area of L'Derry have been given the green light. South Bank Square submitted the application, which entails a residential development comprising 33 detached and 473 semi-detached dwellings as well as 168 apartments, to Derry City and Strabane ...
28/11/2024
A new wastewater treatment facility in Ballyronan, Co, L'Derry, has been successfully completed following an investment of £5m from NI Water. GEDA Construction was the main contractor for the 18-month contract, while Water Solutions Ireland completed extensive mechanical and electrical ...
28/11/2024
The Clontarf to City Centre (C2CC) Active Travel Project has officially been opened by Dublin City Council. The project connects the Royal Canal Greenway to the East Coast Trail and part of the Tolka Valley Greenway, providing a safe, pleasant and continuous segregated walking and cycling route ...
28/11/2024
Approximately €1.5 million in payments have been processed under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant scheme in Offaly. The grant, which aims at turning vacant or derelict houses and buildings into permanent homes or rental properties, has thus far saw 129, out of 196, applications approved in ...