Government changes story on Fás chief’s payout

ANGER at the massive €1.1 million payout to former Fás boss Rody Molloy continued to rage last night after the Government changed its story on the “golden goodbye” for a third time.

After initially saying Mr Molloy deserved the money for “acting honourably” in stepping down after a culture of waste was uncovered at the training agency, then insisting the settlement was due to his threat of legal action – a claim later contradicted by the Taoiseach – Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said the matter was merely an “early retirement issue”.

Mr Lenihan tried to divert attention from the huge payoff for Mr Molloy by saying he would move to end such packages for senior civil servants in future.