Ulster Unionist Party Economy spokesperson John Stewart has said that Minister Diane Dodds has questions to answer over suggestions that critical comments have been censored from a report on energy governance in Northern Ireland, funded by her Department.
The East Antrim MLA said:
“No one with even a passing familiarity with the RHI scandal and the subsequent public inquiry can be in any doubt about the systemic governance failings regarding energy policy here.
“Therefore, the academic report by the University of Exeter Energy Policy Group, paid for by the Department of the Economy, should be required reading for policy makers and interested parties.
“Reports that it has been censored with critical comments removed from the final report are worrying. The Minister and her Department need to be able to take on board legitimate criticism and feedback. Those things are vital in a healthy democracy.
“The Minister has questions to answer which would have been asked in the chamber but for the Assembly going into the Easter recess. The task at hand is to deliver an energy strategy using outside academic expertise where necessary to plug the gaps in capacity within Stormont Departments.”