Fine Gael Call For Govt To Publish EC Report On FÁS

Fine Gael has called on the government to publish a 2002 European Commission report, which is believed to have warned of serious financial mismanagement within FÁS.

The party's spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Leo Varadkar, called on the Government to publish the report in full, claiming the government new of "unsound" practices in the state training agency six years ago.

Mr Varadkar said: "Statements in today's media suggest that a report by the European Commission, which was issued to the Government in 2002, warned of serious internal and financial control problems which existed within the State agency at that time.

"The confidential document identified 'weak and unreliable' internal controls, 'unsound' applications for EU funds and no clear paper trails for some major projects."

Last week, the agency's ex-chairman, Rody Molloy, admitted to the Dáil Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that "some mistakes were made" during his stewardship of FÁS, and said it was not appropriate for him to have travelled first class while working there.

The agency sparked controversy and a committee led probe following revelations over a €650,000 travelling costs bill.

The PAC investigation is still ongoing.

Mr Varadkar added: "This latest revelation is further evidence that Government Ministers should have been aware of the problems at Fás. Had they taken action back in 2002 millions of our tax euros that were wasted by Fás could have been saved.

"I am calling on the Government to publish this report in full so that the complete extent of the situation at Fás, as far back as 2002, can be made clear."

(DW)