Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this debate. The Tánaiste has been diligent in resolving the difficulties that have arisen in FÁS in the past 18 months.

FÁS has been doing Trojan work through its community employment schemes, particularly in rural and disadvantaged communities, but it is being tarnished by what has happened in its upper echelons. If run properly, it could be one of the best organisations in the country. I note that the Tánaiste has introduced legislation to reform FÁS but every organisation which spends a cent of taxpayers' money must be made accountable to this House. We are answerable to the public through elections and in turn we have to ensure taxpayers receive value for their money.

Even while questions were being asked about the use of funds by the upper echelons of FÁS, its staff were encountering difficulties in maintaining community employment schemes. Deputies from all sides have sought additional places on these schemes over the years. It is sickening that the funding we thought was being invested in training schemes was actually being spent on activities which had little or nothing to do with getting people back to employment. Excellent work was being done on the ground by decent and genuine staff to help people with employment difficulties.

We have to ensure we introduce legislation which provides accountability. The Labour Services Act 1987 attempted to ensure that a variety of interests was represented on the board of FÁS but further accountability is required. Politicians are blamed when anything goes wrong in the public sector but the difficulties which have arisen are not the result of misappropriation by any Member of these Houses. If we have to take responsibility, we must also have accountability. The legislation proposed by the Tánaiste will clean up the situation. Excellent work is being done by FÁS but a few people have messed up the corporate sector for everybody else. I commend the amendment to the House.

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