Public Inquiry Recommendations

RHI-1 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Policy Skills Assessment

A new policy at its earliest stage should be subject to a rigorous process to determine whether the Northern Ireland devolved administration has (or is prepared to assign) the necessary …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full, stating that some elements were addressed in existing guidance (NI Executive Response to …

RHI-2 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Novel Policy Scrutiny

Novel, potentially volatile and untested initiatives should in future be scrutinised thoroughly, well ahead of ministerial and business case approval. The Inquiry commends processes such as a 'starting point Gateway …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-3 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Policy Skills Training

As far as practicable, Northern Ireland Civil Service teams working on policies, particularly new and untested initiatives, should be trained and supported so that they have the skills to do …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-4 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Quality of Ministerial Advice

A lesson from the RHI experience is that action is needed to raise and sustain the quality of advice to Ministers and the clarity with which it is expressed. Options …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-5 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Ministerial Training and Support

One role of Ministers in a democratic system is to decide on policies and they can only do so effectively if they are prepared, in appropriate cases, to question and …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-6 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Special Adviser Role Clarity

(i) Under existing arrangements, Northern Ireland Ministers should be responsible for their Special Advisers. (ii) New or returning Ministers should be invited to convey to the relevant Permanent Secretary, and …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-7 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Special Adviser Induction

There should be a clearly defined induction process for new Special Advisers, shared by the appointing Minister and the relevant Permanent Secretary, in the course of which the structure and …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-8 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Job-Specific Recruitment

A fundamental shift is needed in the approach used within the Northern Ireland Civil Service with regard to recruitment and selection for government jobs. This must involve an up-front assessment …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-9 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Commercial Awareness

Commercial and business awareness amongst policy officials, particularly those working in roles relating to the economy of Northern Ireland, must be improved. It is important that the leadership of the …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-10 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

External Consultants Guidance

The Northern Ireland Civil Service should consider what changes are needed to its guidance and practices on the use of external consultants arising from the experience of RHI. Specific recommendations …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-11 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Project Management Disciplines

Best practice project and risk management disciplines should be the default practice within the Northern Ireland Civil Service when developing novel and complex policies and managing their implementation. These disciplines …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-12 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Invest NI and SIB Collaboration

The leaders of the Northern Ireland Civil Service should work with Invest Northern Ireland and the Strategic Investment Board to consider how both organisations can better contribute their expertise to …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-13 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

External Expertise on Project Boards

Project boards are an essential element of project management oversight and must include individuals who can challenge and who are not directly responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the project. …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-14 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Risk Tracking and Reporting

The risks involved in implementation of an initiative must be tracked, re-considered regularly and used to manage, improve and adjust the project in real time. How the risks are being …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-15 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Programme Boards for Sector Coordination

Co-ordination of groups of projects aiming to achieve change in a particular sector – e.g. renewable energy projects – would be stronger through use of high level Programme Boards. Such …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-16 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Third Party Governance

Where other government bodies, such as Ofgem, or contractors or other third parties are involved in the implementation of a project, the 'home' Department must retain overall control and overall …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-17 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Professional Development

The Northern Ireland Civil Service should take steps to draw on best practice from other jurisdictions to provide more support for professions within the civil service. The Inquiry specifically recommends: …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-18 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Inter-Governmental Framework

More generally, we recommend a Northern Ireland government-wide framework for information exchange and, where appropriate, co-operation between the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Whitehall Departments and (where relevant) Departments of other …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-19 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Business Case Approval Redesign

The processes within a Department for approving new expenditure and business cases including, where it forms part of that process, the role of Casework Committees, should be thoroughly re-designed to …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full, stating it was addressed through the Review of the Expenditure Approval and Business …

RHI-20 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Flexible Expenditure Rules

Public expenditure rules should be sufficiently flexible so that false economies can be avoided. In order to deliver a policy objective, Departments should not be required to choose a more …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation, noting that public expenditure in Northern Ireland is governed by UK budgeting rules set by …

RHI-21 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Sceptical Business Case Scrutiny

The Department of Finance's distinctive role in scrutinising business cases should be searching and sceptical, guarding against over-reliance on the assurances offered by the applicant Department.

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-22 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Proactive DoF Monitoring

Particularly where a policy initiative is demand-led, novel, complex and/or likely to be lengthy, consideration should be given to increasing Department of Finance involvement from an early stage and on …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full, stating that the Department of Finance now applies non-standard conditions of approval for …

RHI-23 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Ministerial Notification of Approval Conditions

Ministers should always be advised of any conditions attached to the approval of a policy or project by the Department of Finance. The Department of Finance should also require, and …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-24 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Staff Move Sequencing

Senior managers in the Civil Service must take responsibility for guiding and, where necessary, sequencing the timing of staff moves so that continuity of business is secured. This includes allowing …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-25 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Ministerial Decision-Making

In light of their legal responsibility to direct and control the Department for which they are responsible, and their democratic accountability to the Northern Ireland Assembly, ministerial decisions should be …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-26 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Meeting Records

Notes of significant meetings between officials and ministers, particularly those affecting decision-making and spending, must be taken and retained. The responsibility for ensuring this is done should be clearly identified …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-27 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Private Office Record Keeping

Ministers' responses to submissions should be formally and timeously recorded and disseminated to officials by the Minister's Private Office. That responsibility should not be left to policy teams. One clear …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-28 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Record Keeping Culture and Audit

The culture and practice of record keeping and access to records within the Northern Ireland Civil Service needs to change so that staff responsible for a given area of work …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-29 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Departmental Finance Functions

The finance function within a Department should exert the necessary authority and capability to fulfil the requirements of 'Managing Public Money Northern Ireland', namely to retain a firm grasp of …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-30 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Budget Holder Financial Training

Civil servants who are responsible for holding and monitoring a budget should have to demonstrate core requirements in financial literacy and an understanding of how public spending operates, including what …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-31 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Value for Money Priority

Any imperative to spend a budget within a given timeframe should not be allowed to take precedence over how that budget is used and the longer term benefits and overall …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-32a Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Governance Systems Review

The checks and balances within a Department designed to catch problems early failed over many years in DETI to identify certain of the risks of the RHI or their materialisation. …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-32b Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Civil Servants Raising Concerns

Civil servants should be encouraged not to feel in any way inhibited about disclosing possible or emerging problems, raising concerns, negative aspects or adverse criticisms of a project as necessary …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-33 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

HMT Communication Protocol

The protocol for relations with HMT, namely that the Northern Ireland Department of Finance must be the sole conduit of formal communication, should be reinforced and widely understood across the …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-34 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Rapid Response Capacity

The Northern Ireland Civil Service should have regard to best practice elsewhere about how to respond effectively when serious problems emerge, such as those that did so with the non-domestic …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-35 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Early Warning Systems

Better systems are needed for spotting early warnings and concerns from the public and businesses that something unexpected could be happening or going wrong with an initiative. Simply updating existing …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-36 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Learning from Failures

The Northern Ireland Civil Service should develop a better process to learn from past failures, one that goes beyond the traditional method of revising and circulating internal guidance. Leaders within …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-37 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Reduce Organisational Silos

In keeping with the spirit of the Ministerial Pledge of Office, the Northern Ireland political parties, supported by the Northern Ireland Civil Service, should together agree a set of actions …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-38 Accepted in Part

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Assembly Committee Scrutiny

The Inquiry recommends that the Northern Ireland Assembly should strengthen the scrutiny role of Assembly Committees, reviewing whether the existing balance between legislative and scrutiny work is appropriate, and considering …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive noted that this recommendation was the responsibility of the NI Assembly, not the Executive, and that the Chairpersons' …

RHI-39 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Ministerial Familiarity with Legislation

Any Minister presenting the Assembly with legislation for approval should sufficiently read and familiarise themselves with that legislation and ensure an adequate evidence base is publicly available to demonstrate that …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-40 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Declaration of Interests

Ministers, Special Advisers and officials in Northern Ireland government Departments should declare their interests annually in writing. When any conflict of interest arises during the course of government business each …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-41 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Special Adviser Code of Conduct Revision

The Special Adviser Code of Conduct should be revised. How these changes are achieved will need to be a matter for the political representatives concerned in the construction of a …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-42 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Ministerial Code Revision

The Code of Conduct issued to Northern Ireland Ministers in 2007 (contained within the Northern Ireland Ministerial Code 2006) should be revised and brought up to date reflecting the findings …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-43 Not Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

Independent Compliance Assessment

In addition, the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly ought, in the Inquiry's view, to give due consideration to an independent mechanism to assess compliance with codes of conduct in public …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive accepted this recommendation in full (NI Executive Response to RHI Inquiry, Department of Finance, October 2021). - The …

RHI-44 Accepted

RHI Inquiry (2020)

NIAO Progress Assessment Role

The Inquiry recommends a role in future for the Northern Ireland Audit Office in assessing and validating the extent of progress in implementing the lessons learned from the NI RHI …

- In October 2021, the NI Executive noted that this recommendation was directed at the Northern Ireland Audit Office itself (NI Executive Response to RHI …