Margaret Conlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to have an opportunity to contribute to this evening's debate. The shocking absence of financial control within FÁS, as set out in a recent report, is disgraceful and utterly unacceptable to the Irish people. It is necessary for the Tánaiste to get to the root of the problem and to ensure this type of activity will not be repeated. She is working and will continue to work hard to that end. Many processes and systems are being put in place. Certain officials within FÁS blew part of that organisation's huge budget. It beggars belief that a car can go missing. How can a company spend hundreds of thousands of euro on an advertisement without bothering to run it? In any business, all moneys that are spent have to be fully accounted for. In this case, however, there was a totally immoral process of waste. I was happy to learn this week that the Garda investigation into this matter is bearing fruit. I expect that to continue. I hold no brief for anyone who is involved in wrongdoing. I will never condone it. The actions of Mr. Rody Molloy were wrong, abhorrent and immoral. He should do the right and honourable thing by repaying the moneys to the Exchequer.

I concur with many elements of the Private Members' motion that has been tabled. I would like some of them to be introduced. There is a need for revised guidelines and severance packages for people who leave the public service. I am confident that the Minister for Finance will introduce these necessary amendments. As we have said on many occasions, December's budget will be one of the toughest of all time. I agree with Deputy Varadkar that the Members of the Oireachtas have to be seen to do our bit and to lead by example. The forthcoming budget gives the Minister an ideal opportunity to radically and thoroughly assess all expenses, packages and forms of remuneration. The real victims of this waste are this country's many unemployed people who hope to avail of the upskilling and reskilling services provided by FÁS.

I commend the many thousands of excellent FÁS staff whose morale has been affected by this affair. I empathise with them as they see their organisation dragged through the media on a daily basis and as each of them are tarred with the same brush. It is sordid that the unregulated media can attack people from every angle in the hope that their sales figures will increase for one day. One's belief in why one is doing something can diminish in such circumstances. It is unfair and unwarranted that FÁS's good and decent workers have become demoralised. Greater accountability and transparency are needed in FÁS, just as they are in the Oireachtas. I urge the Minister for Finance to put in place a system in which all expenses are vouched. While it might not lead to huge savings, it will give every citizen of this country facts about what taxpayers' money is being spent on That is the least we should be providing.

In addition to providing for greater accountability within FÁS, we need to improve the governance provided by its board and strengthen the organisation's answerability to this House. The decision to reduce the size of the board from 17 to 11 and to change its composition represents a huge step in restoring public confidence. If FÁS is to focus on its training and employment mandate, it needs to enjoy total respect. The Government is committed to continuing to offer those who have lost their jobs the assistance they need. Training and education have never been more important for everyone in the workforce than they are in the current tough employment climate. We must assist individuals by providing education and training opportunities. The Tánaiste has been working to double the number of activation, training and work experience places. The superb staff of FÁS are working hard on behalf of those who have lost their jobs. As morale is low, we must build it back up. Those who provide the front-line service can make or break the opportunities that are offered to unemployed people. The reform of FÁS is necessary if we are to restore the confidence of the public in the organisation. As politicians, we have a duty to reform our systems so that the confidence of citizens in the Oireachtas is restored in advance of the many difficult decisions that will be taken in the near future.

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