Northern Ireland

RHI progress report published by Conor Murphy

`Changing policies won't in itself fully address the flaws that gave rise to the RHI scheme,' Conor Murphy said. Picture by Michael Cooper
`Changing policies won't in itself fully address the flaws that gave rise to the RHI scheme,' Conor Murphy said. Picture by Michael Cooper `Changing policies won't in itself fully address the flaws that gave rise to the RHI scheme,' Conor Murphy said. Picture by Michael Cooper

A REPORT setting out how the recommendations of the RHI Inquiry are being implemented by the Executive was published last night by Finance Minister Conor Murphy.

It lists the completion of six "substantial pieces of work" out of the 44 recommendations for change given last March by the inquiry team.

Mr Murphy said these include the revision of Codes of Conduct for Ministers and Special advisers, the development of the People Strategy to build the capacity and capability of the Civil Service and the establishment of a project delivery profession to improve the management of complex projects within the Civil Service."

These has also been cross-departmental reviews of risk management and whistleblowing; and extensive reviews of records management.

However, it sets out specific pieces of work still required to fulfil the terms of the Inquiry recommendations.

It says "key pieces of work" will now "be advanced,", including the roll-out of a "unified policy for raising concerns" and a revised NICS Code of Ethics.

There will be revision of guidance on and development of how policy making functions and creating "a distinct project-delivery profession within the civil service.

Work will also focus on the transformation of the civil service "workforce model" and policies on its recruitment and bringing in the recommended `five-case model' for business cases.

"Changing policies won't in itself fully address the flaws that gave rise to the RHI scheme," Mr Murphy said.

"There also needs to be a change of culture within government and that requires leadership from Ministers, Senior Civil Servants and Special Advisors."