RHI scandal: Belfast City Council supports call for public inquiry

Image caption Former DUP councillor Ruth Patterson, who was expelled from the party in 2015, said the public were seriously concerned by the “financial squander” in the RHI scheme Belfast City Council has passed a motion calling on the government to hold a full public inquiry into Stormont"s "cash-for-ash" scandal.
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, set up in 2012 by the now First Minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster, is set to run £490m over its budget.
The motion, proposed by former DUP councillor Ruth Patterson, was passed by 23 votes in favour to 12 against.
The UK government has already rejected an Alliance call for a public inquiry.
Q&A: What is the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme? Timeline of Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme BBC News NI reports on the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme "Financial squander"The Treasury has refused to cover the RHI overspend and it will have to be paid from the block grant that Northern Ireland rece..

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Political donations: Belfast City councillors back call to name donors

Image copyright Belfast City Council Image caption Belfast City Council passed the Alliance motion at a meeting on Tuesday night Belfast City councillors have voted in support of a call to reveal the names of those who make large donations to Northern Ireland politicians.
The Alliance Party motion was passed by 38 votes in favour to 13 against.
Unlike in the rest of the UK, Stormont parties are not required to reveal where their funding comes from, due to concerns about the security of donors.
Alliance wants NI to be brought in line with Great Britain where names of those who donate over £7,500 are published.
"No power to compel"The motion was proposed by Alliance councillor Kate Nicholl at meeting of the council on Tuesday evening.
It was supported by councillors from Sinn Féin, the SDLP, Green Party, the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) and the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV).
It was opposed by members of Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and the Ulster Unionist Party (UU..

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