Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have to do my public duty. Some great work has been done by the ETB in Tipperary. I see the evidence of that every day. There are some incredible statistics and people. However, a number of people who work in its head office have expressed deep concern for many different reasons about the head office and where it is going. It is not a small number of people. In particular, concern has been expressed that three of the four senior people in the organisation are not based at the head office. I would be failing in my duty and would not be comfortable to leave here without raising that issue with the Chair. I ask that he take it on board. We are all on a learning curve or whatever the expression is that was used earlier. These are not just my views, they are the views of several people. That concern creates a risk in terms of the administration of the ETB, as does the concern that those at the most senior level in the organisation are not based in the head office and very little time is spent there by the chief executive. I express that view on behalf of those who have approached me in regard to the issue on several occasions.