RHI inquiry set to take more than six months to conclude

The chairman of the public inquiry into the Renewable Heating Incentive has said that it will take longer than six months to conclude.

Sir Patrick Coghlin, said there was a 'huge amount of material' to be looked about before any findings could be reached.

He said the information must be gathered before the public inquiry could start.

Sir Patrick Coughlin said: "I cannot, at this early stage of the investigation, give a date by which our work will be complete.

"At present I can say that it will not be possible to report within six months."

The 'cash for ash' scandal is set to cost the Northern Ireland taxpayer £490m over the next 20 years if a solution is not found.

The aim of the scheme was to encourage businesses to use more renewable energy.

Businesses taking part in the scheme ended up receiving more in funding than the cost of fuel and the scheme became oversubscribed.