FG says Fás not replying to request for report

FINE GAEL enterprise spokesman Leo Varadkar claimed that Fás was not replying to his Freedom of Information requests. He said that some weeks ago, Fine Gael had sought the details of the second human resources investigation into Fás official Gregory Craig.

"The Freedom of Information officer in Fás approved that request, but under the new closing-down, darkening and tightening procedures introduced by the organisation, all requests must go to Mr Cooney, the assistant director general, before being released," he added.

"That report has been on his desk for more than two weeks and, as a result, the deadline has expired." Mr Varadkar said under the legislation, this was now classed as a technical refusal.

He urged Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan to raise the matter with the interim director general on behalf of the public.

Ms Coughlan said prior to Mr Varadkar's election to the Dáil, the issues relating to Fás were being dealt with. It had not taken his "evangelical appearance" for the matter to be addressed, she added.

"I appreciate very well that he does not believe in due process," Ms Coughlan said. "That said, I must say it is totally inappropriate, with matters before the committee of public accounts, which will form part of an investigation by the Comptroller and Auditor General, that an accusation is made in this House that Fás is hiding Freedom of Information," she added.

When Mr Varadkar said the procedure had been breached in the past, Ms Coughlan said it had not. She said she had to ensure that matters were investigated and that the outcome was obtained as soon as possible and dealt with particularly on the basis of governance and procurement.

Asked by Mr Varadkar if she had full confidence in the chairman and board of Fás, the Minister said the agency should stay focused on its mission, given the employment and training challenges the State faces.

"I express my strong support for the work of the new interim director general, the chairman and the other members of the board in that regard," she added.

Mr Varadkar said the Minister had not answered his question. He said that Fás chairman, Peter McLoone, had admitted that first-class travel was inappropriate.

"However, in my hand, I have the invoice for €7,000 that covered his first-class flight to Florida," Mr Varadkar added.

Ms Coughlan said she had expressed her dissatisfaction with matters and an investigation was taking place.