Martin McGuinness
By Anthony Neeson
Northern Ireland is facing into fresh elections after Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness dramatically resigned today over the Renewable Heating Incentive scandal that has rocked Stormont.
In his letter to Assembly Speaker Robin Newton, the Sinn Féin man said it was with “deep regret and reluctance” that he was tendering his resignation with effect from 5 p.m. 9th January, 2017 (noon, eastern standard time in the U.S.).
The resignation comes after First Minister Arlene Foster once more refused to step aside to facilitate an investigation into the botched RHI scheme.
Known as the “cash for ash” scandal, RHI offered financial encouragement to businesses to install eco-friendly renewable heat systems.
But it ended up delivering a spending deficit of £490 million over the next twenty years a bill that will have to be picked up by taxpayers.
Arlene Foster headed up the Department of Enterprise when the scheme was first introduced and in recent days has been under pressure from all the parties at Stormont to step aside.
Last week, Sinn Féin published its terms of reference for an investigation into the RHI issue.
The party had rejected calls for a public inquiry, saying it would take too long to get to the truth.
The SDLP, UUP and Alliance have all called for a public inquiry.
Sinn Féin’s proposals would see the Attorney General appoint a judge to preside over a panel.
Arlene Foster would need to stand down during the duration of a four-week preliminary report.
A final report would be ready within three months.
After initially rejecting the Sinn Féin plans, Foster said the proposals could work, although she again reiterated that she had no intention of stepping aside to facilitate the investigation.
In his letter to the Speaker Mr. McGuinness said he had worked the power sharing institutions for ten years and “the equality, mutual respect and all-Ireland approaches enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement have never been fully embraced by the DUP.”
Speaking after tendering his resignation Mr. McGuinness said Sinn Féin will “not tolerate the arrogance of Arlene Foster and the DUP.”
“Sinn Féin wants equality and respect for all,” he said.
“That is what this process must be about.
“Today I tendered my resignation.
“Today is the right time to call a halt to the DUP’s arrogance. There will be no return to the status quo.”
