Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

The reality is that this has been going on for a long time. There have been reports from the European Commission, internal audit reports, reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General, whistleblowing letters and concerns raised in this House. The only reason any action was taken in recent months is that information was given to us and to others under the Freedom of Information Act. This is an issue the Tánaiste might raise on our behalf, because FÁS continues to evade its responsibilities in terms of openness.

Some weeks ago we sought the details of HR2, the second human resources investigation into Mr. Gregory Craig. The freedom of information officer in FÁS approved that request but under the new closing-down, darkening and tightening procedures introduced by the organisation all freedom of information requests must go to Mr. Cooney, the assistant director general, before being released. That particular report has been on his desk for more than two weeks and, as a result, the deadline has expired. Under the freedom of information legislation this is now classed as a technical refusal. It was suggested to us that we should appeal the matter so it can be reviewed by somebody else in FÁS.

Essentially, what we see in FÁS is secrecy getting worse. Items that would have been released by the freedom of information officer in the past are now being sent to Mr. Cooney who is blocking them. I hope the Tánaiste will raise that matter with the interim director general on behalf of the public.

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