THE STATE’S training agency Fás is to face a second investigation following the decision of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to inquire into its affairs.
Senior Fás executives, including its director general, Rody Molloy, are to be called before the PAC within the next fortnight, and could face several days of hearings.
On Monday, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan asked the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to investigate Fás.
However, Fine Gael has questioned the Minister’s conduct, saying that it compromised the independence of the recently appointed CAG, John Buckley.
The PAC’s chairman, Fine Gael Cork South Central TD Bernard Allen, said this is the second time that a Minister has asked for a CAG inquiry in recent months.
“The CAG is an independent officer and should not be dragged in by the Minister as a crutch, and as a way of fending off criticism of her own lack of action,” he said.
“Minister Coughlan has failed for months to deal with a series of reports and allegations about Fás’s handling of contracts, and other management actions,” Mr Allen added.
Last night, the office of the CAG said he will investigate Fás, but emphasised that the decision to do so rested with the CAG.
Legally, Ministers may request a CAG investigation, but the final decision lies with the office.
The decision by Ms Coughlan to seek a CAG inquiry came following a meeting to discuss the damaging reports with Mr Molloy and Fás chairman Peter McLoone.
They suggested that an inquiry into compliance with expenditure and procurement controls might be needed to restore public confidence in the organisation, which has an annual budget of €1 billion.
