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RHI scandal: MLAs walk out of Assembly for second time ahead of Foster statement RHI scandal: First Minister faces no-confidence vote
(35 minutes later)
MLAs have have walked out of Northern Ireland's Assembly chamber for a second time ahead of a statement by the first minister on a botched heating scheme. MLAs have walked out of Northern Ireland's Assembly chamber in protest against a statement by the first minister on a botched heating scheme.
Arlene Foster said that not introducing crucial cost-control measures in the scheme was the "deepest political regret of my time in this house".
The Renewable Heat Incentive scheme could cost the NI taxpayer £400m.The Renewable Heat Incentive scheme could cost the NI taxpayer £400m.
She is facing a vote of no confidence over her involvement in the scheme. DUP leader Arlene Foster said that not introducing crucial cost-control measures in the scheme was her "deepest political regret".
Amid chaotic scenes in Stormont, she is facing a vote of no confidence over her involvement in the scheme.
The other parties objected to Mrs Foster being given permission to make a ministerial statement, arguing that the statement did not have the authority of the Executive Office.
The Office of First and Deputy First Minister at the Northern Ireland Assembly is a joint role and the Deputy First Minister, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness, had withdrawn his approval for Mrs Foster to speak on the issue.
The RHI was set up by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Deti) under the stewardship of Mrs Foster in 2012 to encourage businesses and other non-domestic users to move from using fossil fuels to renewable heating systems.The RHI was set up by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Deti) under the stewardship of Mrs Foster in 2012 to encourage businesses and other non-domestic users to move from using fossil fuels to renewable heating systems.
But flaws in setting the scheme's subsidy rate left it open to abuse as claimants could earn more cash the more fuel they burned.But flaws in setting the scheme's subsidy rate left it open to abuse as claimants could earn more cash the more fuel they burned.
The scheme was finally halted early this year, by which time its overall cost had reached £1.18bn.The scheme was finally halted early this year, by which time its overall cost had reached £1.18bn.
About £20m a year for the next two decades could be taken from the Northern Ireland budget to cover the overspend.About £20m a year for the next two decades could be taken from the Northern Ireland budget to cover the overspend.
'Without approval or authority'
The other parties objected to Mrs Foster being given permission to make a ministerial statement, arguing that the statement did not have the authority of the Executive Office.
The Office of First and Deputy First Minister at the Northern Ireland Assembly is a joint role.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness confirmed that Mrs Foster - by going ahead with her statement - would be acting without his approval or authority.
Analysis - BBC News NI political correspondent Enda McClaffertyAnalysis - BBC News NI political correspondent Enda McClafferty
When it works, it shows politics in Northern Ireland is moving in the right direction but when it goes wrong it reopens old wounds and leaves the institutions hanging by a thread.When it works, it shows politics in Northern Ireland is moving in the right direction but when it goes wrong it reopens old wounds and leaves the institutions hanging by a thread.
Joint ministerial authority means Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness have equal power and cannot work in isolation. They have no choice.Joint ministerial authority means Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness have equal power and cannot work in isolation. They have no choice.
That's why Arlene Foster's decision to make a statement without the support of her partner in office today has plunged Stormont into a fresh crisis.That's why Arlene Foster's decision to make a statement without the support of her partner in office today has plunged Stormont into a fresh crisis.
Joint office is the bond which holds Stormont together, it now appears to be melting fast in this heating scandal.Joint office is the bond which holds Stormont together, it now appears to be melting fast in this heating scandal.
Opposition politicians were highly critical of the Stormont Speaker Robin Newton for allowing Mrs Foster's statement to proceed.Opposition politicians were highly critical of the Stormont Speaker Robin Newton for allowing Mrs Foster's statement to proceed.
The SDLP leader Colum Eastwood argued that Mr Newton's decision had come perilously close to ripping up the joint nature of the Executive office.The SDLP leader Colum Eastwood argued that Mr Newton's decision had come perilously close to ripping up the joint nature of the Executive office.
After proceedings resumed, speaker Robin Newton came under concerted pressure from MLAs over his decision to take the first minister's statement in the absence of Sinn Féin approval. When proceedings resumed following an initial walk-out, speaker Robin Newton came under concerted pressure from MLAs over his decision to take the first minister's statement in the absence of Sinn Féin approval.
After hearing objections from a number of MLAs, Mrs Foster finally addressed the depleted chamber.After hearing objections from a number of MLAs, Mrs Foster finally addressed the depleted chamber.
The first minister said no-one in government or in the assembly in their work scrutinising the legislation had picked up on crucial failings in relation to the overgenerous tariff offered by the scheme. She said no-one in government or industry had picked up on crucial failings in relation to the overgenerous tariff offered by the RHI scheme.
She added that it was not picked up by the industry either. Mrs Foster told MLAs she had not imposed the scheme on the people of Northern Ireland, adding that while she was setting out a plan to deal with the fall out, others were trying to use the situation for political gain.
Mrs Foster told MLAs she did "not impose this scheme on the people of Northern Ireland" and said while she was "setting out a plan" to deal with the fallout, others were trying to use the situation to their own "party political advantage".
The motion to exclude Mrs Foster from ministerial office while the RHI scheme is investigated was tabled by the SDLP.The motion to exclude Mrs Foster from ministerial office while the RHI scheme is investigated was tabled by the SDLP.
It has the backing of the UUP, Alliance Party, Green Party, TUV and People Before Profit.It has the backing of the UUP, Alliance Party, Green Party, TUV and People Before Profit.
Sinn Féin wanted Mrs Foster to step aside during an investigation by an independent judicial figure, but the party's proposed amendment to the SDLP motion was ruled inadmissible.Sinn Féin wanted Mrs Foster to step aside during an investigation by an independent judicial figure, but the party's proposed amendment to the SDLP motion was ruled inadmissible.
The DUP supports an investigation, but rejected calls for the first minister to step down.The DUP supports an investigation, but rejected calls for the first minister to step down.
No credibility?No credibility?
Sinn Féin had warned of grave consequences if the DUP brought forward a statement during the debate on the RHI scheme without their support.
In an interview with the BBC's Stephen Nolan on Thursday, Mr Bell, a former enterprise minister, broke ranks with his DUP colleagues and made a number of sensational claims about how the controversial scheme was handled.In an interview with the BBC's Stephen Nolan on Thursday, Mr Bell, a former enterprise minister, broke ranks with his DUP colleagues and made a number of sensational claims about how the controversial scheme was handled.
He said DUP advisers had delayed his plans to close down the scheme.He said DUP advisers had delayed his plans to close down the scheme.
The party denies this and leader Arlene Foster has criticised Mr Bell's handling of the matter. The party denies this, and Arlene Foster has criticised Mr Bell's handling of the matter.
Mr Bell had said a whistle-blower civil servant told him references to Mrs Foster were removed from a document as the ending of the scheme was being considered. Mr Bell had said a whistleblower civil servant had told him references to Mrs Foster were removed from a document as the ending of the scheme was being considered.
Economy Minister Simon Hamilton released documents on Sunday which he said questioned Mr Bell's version of events surrounding the RHI scheme, but said the serious allegations made by Mr Bell warranted investigation. Economy Minister Simon Hamilton released documents on Sunday which he said questioned Mr Bell's version of events, although he conceded serious allegations made by Mr Bell warranted investigation.
Mr Bell was suspended from the DUP over the weekend for allegedly speaking to the press without permission. Mr Bell was suspended from the DUP over the weekend for speaking to the press without permission.
The Treasury, which was due to cover the cost of the RHI scheme, said the executive would have to find the money for the enormous overspend.The Treasury, which was due to cover the cost of the RHI scheme, said the executive would have to find the money for the enormous overspend.
But Mrs Foster said that the executive believes at least half of the scheme's projected £400m cost to the Stormont budget can still be saved.But Mrs Foster said that the executive believes at least half of the scheme's projected £400m cost to the Stormont budget can still be saved.