The power sharing institutions at Stormont risk becoming valueless, a Sinn Fein leader warned.
The party has called repeatedly for DUP First Minister Arlene Foster to stand aside while an investigation is carried out into a massively overspent green energy incentive which left taxpayers facing a potential £490 million (€575m) bill over the next 20 years.
Sinn Fein is due to take the matter to the Assembly later this month in what could be a crucial date for the future of the administration it jointly leads with the Democratic Unionists.
Sinn Fein’s national chairman Declan Kearney said: “Political institutions cease to have value when they do not reflect equality, mutual respect and parity of esteem, and have become detached from the lives of citizens they are meant to serve.”
In a previous role as economy minister Ms Foster established the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme which paid business owners more in subsidies than the fuel cost and led to a “cash for ash” scandal.
Claims of widespread abuse include a farmer allegedly set to pocket around £1 million in the next 20 years for heating an empty shed.
Mr Kearney added: “Political parties and leaders in the north need to be above scandal and corruption. They should be above reproach, not continuously reproachful towards political opponents.
“The political process has now been dragged recklessly by the DUP, culminating with the RHI crisis towards an unprecedented tipping point.”
He added: “Playing fast and loose with the political process and the political institutions is unsustainable.
“There are big decisions to make, and there is very little time.”
Mrs Foster has repeatedly blamed her officials for the debacle.
In a letter to Northern Ireland’s leading banks written at the outset of the ill-fated scheme, Mrs Foster said the state-funded eco-subsidies offered applicants a “good return on investment”.
Meanwhile Mid Ulster Assembly member Patsy McGlone called on Sinn Fein to back the SDLP call for an independent, judge-led inquiry into the RHI scandal.
Mr McGlone made his comments amid what he claimed were contradictory positions from Sinn Fein on their plan to achieve transparency and accountability on the issue.
He said: “Surrendering the demand for a judge-led public inquiry is surrendering the need for transparency, accountability and consequences for the loss of hundreds of millions in public money.
“With trust in our hard-won institutions at stake, Sinn Fein need to think very carefully on where their loyalties lie.
“The SDLP have been clear, only a judge-led inquiry can get to the truth of this matter. Sinn Fein must return to this position immediately.”
PA
