Fás denies blocking official’s PAC appearances

FÁS has denied putting obstacles in the way of suspended director Greg Craig who has been asked to appear before the Dáil public accounts committee (PAC).

He has refused twice to appear before the committee which is examining spending and corporate affairs’ matters at the state training agency. However, Mr Craig was issued with a third invitation yesterday.

An invitation was also sent to former Fás chairman Brian Geoghegan, husband of Health Minister Mary Harney. He is expected to answer questions from Oireachtas members next Thursday. The committee, which is responsible for protecting taxpayers’ money, is carrying out an inquiry into spending in parts of the state training and employment agency.

PAC chairman Bernard Allen said the committee hopes to have its initial report on activities at Fás published in the new year.

Mr Craig, suspended without prejudice two weeks ago, claimed Fás would not provide him with documents he required to answer to the spending watchdog committee.

He was also demanding that Fás would guarantee his job; would not be effected by what he disclosed to PAC; and that the organisation would pay whatever legal fees arose from his testimony. Yesterday, PAC received a letter from the director of internal audit in Fás, Patrick Kivlehen, saying if Mr Craig requires access to any records they will be given to him.

“To date, he hasn’t contacted me about such a request,” the letter said.

Mr Craig wrote to PAC on Tuesday, rejecting a second invitation to answer questions. He was yesterday issued with a third invitation to appear before the committee next Thursday.

As director of corporate affairs, Mr Craig had a budget of close to €50 million over four years to spend on advertising, promotions and events. He had a €90,000 salary and the use of a Fás credit card with a staggering €76,000 credit limit to spend on entertainment, travel and expenses.

The credit card was used for some of the controversial expenses claimed on Fás trips to the United States including a $400 bill in a beauty salon, partly accounted for by Ms Harney.

He took sick leave in May following a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General highlighting breaches in the procurement process in Mr Craig’s division, which state companies are obliged by law to follow. It also emerged the RDS in Dublin has contacted PAC to refute comments made by former Fás director general, Rody Molloy, at a meeting last week about the suitability of the venue for a Fás event regarding catering and other facilities.