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Timeline of events: Do we need a public inquiry into RHI scheme or not?

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness first spoke of the need to establish a fully independent investigation into the RHi scandal back on December 16. Picture by Liam McBurney, Press Association 
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness first spoke of the need to establish a fully independent investigation into the RHi scandal back on December 16. Picture by Liam McBurney, Press Association  Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness first spoke of the need to establish a fully independent investigation into the RHi scandal back on December 16. Picture by Liam McBurney, Press Association 

DECEMBER 16, 2016:  Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald called for a "public inquiry as a matter of urgency" into the botched RHI scheme, while Newry and Armagh MLA Conor Murphy said a public inquiry should be one of the options considered to find out what went wrong. In a separate statement he said "there needs to be an independent investigation". On the same day Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness spoke of the need to "urgently establish a fully independent investigation into this matter" and said First Minister Arlene Foster should step aside.

DECEMBER 17, 2016: Sinn Féin party leader Gerry Adams said there is a need to put in place a fully independent, transparent investigation into RHI scandal

DECEMBER 19, 2016: Martin McGuinness said there needs to be a "robust, time-framed, transparent and independent investigation" into the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme.

DECEMBER 19, 2016: After the defeat of opposition motion calling for Arlene Foster to step aside as First Minister, Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín called for the "establishment of an independent investigation which is robust and time-limited and led by a judicial figure".

DECEMBER 30, 2016: Sinn Féin Health Minister Michelle O'Neill said RHI investigation "should be undertaken by an independent judicial figure from outside this jurisdiction and be appointed by the Attorney General". 

Video: Arlene Foster speaking to the Irish News in October about RHI:

DECEMBER 30, 2016: Sinn Féin party statement said it did not support a public inquiry into the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scandal because it would take too long and cost too much money. "It is Sinn Féin’s view that a statutory public inquiry could drag on for years at a significant cost to the tax payers and adding to the cost of this scandal," a spokesman said.

JANUARY 2, 2017: Sinn Féin press office issued a statement from South Antrim MLA Declan Kearney calling for a a "time-framed, comprehensive, independent public inquiry, led by an international jurist.” Statement is withdrawn just hours later and new statement released calling for a "time-framed, comprehensive, independent investigation, led by an international jurist.”