Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The question whether a practice is observed is a matter of legitimate parliamentary investigation, and can be dealt with in the normal way.

The Committee of Public Accounts is discussing the activities of FÁS this morning and the board of FÁS discussed these matters yesterday evening. It is not normal for the Government to reaffirm its confidence in the very many boards that exist under its aegis. In the first instance, the line Minister is responsible for communicating the concerns of the Government to any relevant board. The Tánaiste has been working with the chairman of FÁS on these issues. She has mentioned certain concerns to me and I have no doubt that proposals will be brought to the Government in due course.

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