The Taoiseach has rejected claims from Labour that the Government acted illegally when it paid off former FAS boss Rody Molloy.

A Dáil public accounts watchdog is launching an investigation after just 12 trainees completed a course at a €6.7m FÁS college in the Taoiseachs constituency.

The Dáil's public spending watchdog is calling on the Minister for Finance to take measures to prevent a repeat of the Rody Molloy "golden handshake" in other state boards.

The Dáil’s public spending watchdog tonight called for a review of top-up payments to outgoing chiefs of state bodies.

Enterprise Minister Mary Coughlan has admitted that she was aware the former director general of FAS wanted to retain his company car.

A FÁS executive was charged today with 47 counts of defrauding the state training agency of more than €600,000.

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan has published new legislation that will create a smaller FÁS board which she says will have greater accountability to the taxpayer.

New legislation to reform procedures at the state training agency FÁS is expected to be published by the Government today.

FÁS chairman Peter McLoone is expected to resign today in the wake of the controversy surrounding wasteful spending at the state training agency.

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan has said that the legal basis for the €1m golden handshake awarded to ex-FÁS boss Rody Molloy was agreed under the legislation which set up the agency.

The Labour Party is calling on the Taoiseach to clarify the legal basis for the €1m golden handshake given to former FÁS boss Rody Molloy.

The Labour Party says the Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan, should consider her position as a result of her handling of the Rody Molloy affair.

The Tánaiste Mary Coughlan is taking legal advice on reviewing increased pension entitlements to former FAS chief executive Rody Molloy.

More alarming revelations have been made this morning about the spending of taxpayers' money by FÁS.

The former head of FÁS who walked out amid a scandal of lavish expenses run up through first class travel today claimed he did not like flying.

Former FÁS director general Rody Molloy has admitted that his use of foreign travel while in the position was inappropriate.

Former FÁS chief Rody Molloy is to appear before the Dáil Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today to answer questions about lavish expenses clocked up by top executives at the beleaguered state agency.

Former FÁS director general Rody Molloy has reportedly agreed to appear before the Oireachtas public accounts committee this Thursday.

Health Minister Mary Harney has insisted that she has never misused taxpayers’ money in the course of Government business.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has called on Health Minister Mary Harney to resign.

State training agency FÁS is to strengthen is internal auditing practices after revelations about its expenses spending this week, it was announced today.

The board of FÁS is due to report to Tanaiste Mary Coughlan later today.

Minister Mary Hanafin has said that she doesn't feel the controversy over the Mary Harney's wash and blow dry will have any personal consequences for the Health Minister.

The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee has launched a scathing attack on the former director general of FÁS Rody Molloy who resigned from his position on Tuesday night.

Several top FÁS officials will appear before the Dáil Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today despite the resignation of embattled boss Rody Molloy.

Former director general of FÁS Rody Molloy will not appear before the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee tomorrow, it was confirmed this afternoon.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen today praised FÁS chief Rody Molloy for resigning and described him as an honourable public servant.

The Taoiseach Brian Cowen has again defended former FÁS director general Rody Molloy following his resignation from the position last night.

FÁS director general Rody Molloy was right in deciding to resign his position last night, according to Green Party chairman Senator Dan Boyle.