THE ASSEMBLY is to be recalled next week at the request of the First Minister and deputy first minister to address mounting questions over how DUP ministers addressed the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.
A special plenary session will held on Monday.
SDLP leader and Foyle ML Colum Eastwood is to table a motion of no confidence in First Minister Arlene Foster.
The scheme has been heavily criticised after it was revealed that businesses could rake in a fortune from the more wood pellets they burned.
It is claimed one farmer was even heating an empty shed.
In a joint statement, DUP leader Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness said.”This will facilitate a full statement to be made by the first minister to members on the matters of public concern relating to RHI.
“RHI was discussed by the executive today and ministers around the table underlined the seriousness of the issues involved and the importance of restoring public confidence.
“It was also emphasised that detailed plans are being finalised to significantly reduce the projected losses in the years ahead.”
The projected losses over 20 years of the scheme were estimated to be in excess of £400 million.
MLAs will want to question First Minister Foster in detail about the RHI scheme.
She was the Enterprise Minister when the scheme was set up and she was also at the helm when a whistleblower raised concerns about the scheme and its potential for abuse.
The BBC Nolan Show today said senior sources told the programme that Arlene Foster “personally intervened” to keep the RHI scheme open against the advice of senior civil servants.
But the DUP has denied this.
The SDLP and Ulster Unionists have called on Arlene Foster to consider her position as First Minister in light of the mounting questions she faces over the RHI scandal.
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