Retired Lord Justice of Appeal, Sir Patrick Coghlin, will chair the independent inquiry into the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scandal.

Northern Ireland’s Finance Minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir named Sir Patrick as he outlined the inquiry’s terms of reference.

Mr Ó Muilleoir said: “I now have in place an independent Inquiry Chair, distinguished retired Lord Justice of Appeal, Sir Patrick Coghlin, who was nominated to chair the Inquiry by the Lord Chief Justice.

“I am very pleased Sir Patrick has agreed to lead the Inquiry and I know that he will be unflinching in his pursuit of the truth and scrupulous in his analysis of the evidence.

“The independent investigation will have the powers to compel witnesses and evidence and I pledge that as minister I will ensure the inquiry is free of ministerial control or interference. I call on all parties to make a similar pledge in relation to any future Finance Minister.

“There is an urgent need to get to the facts of the RHI Scheme, to identify negligence, incompetence, alleged corruption and abuse, and to hold those responsible to account.

“I am aware that the RHI issue goes beyond financial matters to questions of governance and probity. By getting to the truth of the RHI scandal, this inquiry team, led by the distinguished Sir Patrick Coghlin will, I believe, address those wider issues, and, therefore, go some way to rebuilding the shattered public confidence in the institutions.”

The inquiry’s work will get underway on Wednesday 1 February.