Fás hired a pianist for Harney in luxury hotel suite

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney became further embroiled in the Fás expenses controversy last night after it emerged that the agency hired a pianist to play in her luxury hotel suite during a trip to South Africa.

Ms Harney faced calls for her resignation last week after she admitted to being partially responsible for a $410 (€320) beauty salon bill charged to a Fás credit card during a trip to Florida in the US in 2004.

Ms Harney insisted her portion of the bill had been incurred for legitimate “wash and blow-dries” in preparation for official engagements, and rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing.