Craig refuses PAC appearance

SUSPENDED Fás director of corporate affairs, Greg Craig has refused a third invitation to appear before the Dáil public accounts committee (PAC) to answer questions about spending irregularities.

The PAC received a letter yesterday in which Mr Craig said he was not in a position to take up their invitation but he would write to them in the coming weeks about what he claims are inaccuracies about him submitted by Fás.

Mr Craig was suspended without prejudice last month from the state training agency, where he oversaw a budget of €50 million over four years.

He had a €90,000 salary and a Fás credit card with a €76,000 credit limit

The credit card was used for some of the controversial expenses claimed on a Fás trip to the US.

Health Minister Mary Harney’s husband and former Fás chairman, Brian Geoghegan, will appear before the PAC committee on Thursday.

PAC last night said their investigation into alleged spending irregularities at the agency will not be effected by Mr Craig’s refusal and they hope their report will be published in the new year.