Accountability - Why not tell them to go?

TÁNAISTE Mary Coughlan has had to endure considerable criticism and on a personal level it is hard not to have some sympathy for her.

However, her feeble assertion yesterday that she would accept the resignation of the Fás board if they were to offer it leaves her open to renewed criticism.

Why was she not more assertive, more demanding?

If ever there was an occasion to tell someone to empty their desks and move on, surely the publication of the C&AG’s report on Fás was it. She may be constrained by legislation but she has said she will change that. Surely she could have told them to go as the minute the legislation was changed they were gone anyway?

It is equally puzzling that legislation is required to clear out the board.

Do we really have a situation where the Government gives over €1 billion a year to a State agency but does not have hiring and firing rights?

Only in Ireland, where no one is accountable for anything.