Politicians hold last debate before N. Ireland election

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

BELFAST, Northern Ireland

A public inquiry will reveal the truth about a renewable energy scheme that caused the collapse of the country’s power sharing government, Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Arlene Foster said Tuesday.

The botched Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (RHI) and post-Brexit border arrangements with Ireland were the main focus of a final debate of leaders of political parties in Northern Ireland.

The leaders of The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Sinn Fein, Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) and Alliance competed in the televised debate ahead of the March 2 election.

Foster argued that the RHI would not cost £500 billion and that if Sinn Fein wins the election it would drive the country into a radical nationalist agenda and a border poll.

"The RHI has been the excuse but not the cause of this election," she said.

Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Fein leader in Stormont, once again accused the DUP of arrogance and showing a lack of respect to the public.

"I don't know where Arlene has been living for the last number of months,” O’Neill said. “This election is very clearly about 'cash for ash’ — the RHI scandal potentially seeing the drip-feed of potentially £500 million out of the block grant," she said. "Arlene couldn't even be humble to admit a mistake," she added.

She said Sinn Fein would negotiate with a strong hand to discuss issues surrounding the Irish language act and heritage but she did not completely rule out becoming part of a new power sharing government if the DUP emerges as the winner and then nominates Arlene Foster as its First Minister.

The leaders also spoke on the possibility of a return to direct rule from the central U.K. government and the effect of Brexit on the country.

Northern Ireland’s power sharing government collapsed when deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness stepped down in January over a financial mismanagement scandal that involved his opposite number, First Minister Arlene Foster.

When the DUP and Sinn Fein failed to form a new government, James Brokenshire announced the March 2 election in search of new assembly members.

Power-sharing rules in the divided territory mean that if the deputy first minister stands down, the first minister is also forced out of the position.