With the publication (yesterday 13 March) of the Report into the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme (RHI) the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) has encouraged the rebuilding of good faith, trust and mutual respect in public life.
Commenting on the report, Rev Daniel Kane, Convener of PCI’s Council for Public Affairs said, “Sir Patrick Coughlin’s long awaited and substantial report into the RHI scheme, comes at a time of deepening unease and an increasing sense of apprehension due to the Coronavirus (do we call it Covid-19 or Coronavirus). Times like these remind us that the people of Northern Ireland need and deserve the kind of good and effective joined-up government that was clearly absent during the planning and management of the RHI scheme.
“Sir Patrick’s report provides an opportunity for self-reflection for our elected representatives – both those with ministerial responsibility and those entrusted with the responsibility of holding those ministers to account. Even for those not directly involved in the mistakes of RHI there are no doubt lessons to be learned.
“Similarly, while we want to affirm the hard and good work of many civil servants, not least during the three years of uncertainty and instability in the absence of a functioning Executive, the inquiry, and the circumstances that led up to it, serve as a ‘wakeup call’ that government in Northern Ireland can’t merely continue as it previously did.
“The restoration of devolution, alongside the commitments contained in New Decade, New Approach, present an opportunity to rebuild trust, strengthen transparency and governance and continue to reform the devolved institutions based on good faith, trust and mutual respect. These principles are crucial to underpinning sustainable and effective government that works together for the common good.
“The responsibility for fixing a broken government does not rest with the politicians alone. Everyone who is a part of the community needs to help and support in this task. As a colleague of mine said, if we want strong, ethical, ‘good’ government it will not happen unless we actually want it and expect it to be delivered. And this change will take moral courage and perseverance. It will also take active engagement in the political process.”
“Our thoughts continue to be with those who are facing financial pressures as a result of the decisions that have been made throughout this process, from inception to closure, many of whom engaged with the RHI scheme in good faith.
Mr Kane concluded by saying, “Where mistakes have been made those responsible should be held accountable. However, the story of the Christian faith is one of new beginnings, where failure is never final. It is my prayer that this report and its findings will not only lead to a new beginning in how government is conducted, but that the promises that have been made already for the good governance and common good of all, are kept.”
NOTES
Council for Public Affairs
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland conducts its day-to-day affairs through seven Councils, which were established by the General Assembly. The Council for Public Affairs addresses current topical issues on which the Church seeks to have its voice heard clearly in the public square. This is delivered by developing PCI’s thinking in key areas of public policy and communicating the General Assembly’s views on important areas such as education, youth, children’s, social, moral and ethical issues.
Part of this Council’s role is to develop relationships with the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly and the governments and parliaments in Dublin and Westminster, making representations to them on behalf of the Church and responding to consultations from those bodies.
As a Church seeking to develop relationships with civic society, this Council also provides nominations to education and other state bodies where the Church is a stakeholder.
Rev Daniel Kane
Rev Daniel Kane is minister in West Church Presbyterian in Ballymena, County Antrim. Born in 1960, he was ordained in 1986 as assistant minister in Carryduff Presbyterian, County Down and installed as minister of First Killyleagh Presbyterian Church in County Down, in 1988, before being called to West Church in the year 2000. Appointed convener of the Council for Public Affairs by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in 2019 he also served as convener of Youth Service and Leadership Training Committee (1988-1993) and convener of the Youth Board (1993-2000). He also served on various committees of the Church.
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