Terms of C&AG probe outlined
C&AG John Buckley spoke at yesterday’s Dáil Public Accounts Committee where senior figures from Fás gave evidence on wasteful spending practices identified within the semi-state body.
He said the terms of reference for his investigation would be finalised in a fortnight and would focus on:
* Financial controls stretching beyond the corporate affairs division central to ongoing Garda investigations.
* How the governing organs conform to proper standards.
* What are its arrangements for monitoring compliance with the Code of Practice.
* How breaches of procedure are dealt with.
Mr Buckley said he hoped lessons from the recent scandals at Fás will be learned across the public sector.
Chairman of the Fás board, Peter McLoone, said it was willing to open up fully for Mr Buckley’s investigation. And he pleaded with the committee to wrap up its work so the probe could begin.
“I cannot emphasise strongly enough how important it is for the future of Fás to allow the C&AG to begin its work very quickly.
“The commencement of the C&AG’s inquiry will also allow Fás to concentrate on its future role of providing training and upskilling to workers,” he said.
Committee chairman Bernard Allen said he would not be pressured into curtailing its investigation to facilitate the C&AG and would work better if it got more co-operation from those it dealt with.
“Certainly we are determined to carry out our investigation quickly. But we have encountered difficulty and delays with the late arrival of documents and the arrival of censored documents [where names are blacked out]” he said.
Committee member Roisín Shorthall quizzed Mr McLoone on whether he and the Fás Board will follow former director general Rody Molloy’s lead and resign. Mr McLoone said it was not something he has had time to consider.
However, given the present turmoil he did not think it would serve Fás to bring added upheaval.
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