Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I thank Deputy Penrose for sharing time. The apprentices to whom he referred end up working in the black economy. They are extraordinarily good at what they do and they are in demand. If they were encouraged and helped over the finish line, they would work in the real economy and we would all benefit. This issue should be examined.

When I was notified that the legislation was being introduced, I cried "yippee". Finally when something had gone wrong in an organisation, the officials at the top would pay for it, the blame would be laid at their doors and the Government would reorganise at the top rather than at the bottom as was the case for years. When something went wrong previously, the guy opening the door was usually fired not the guy who was responsible or who had benefited.

The majority or 99.9% of people working in FÁS are not engaged in junketeering. They pick up the telephone when a public representative calls about people's apprenticeships or when people need to be transferred from A to B or a particular skill group is needed. They are decent, honourable people who are always willing to help. I no longer jump for joy regarding the legislation because of the reconfiguration of the board. While the number of members will be reduced and the Minister is starting in the right place, which is at the top, where are the worker directors? Where is the guarantee that women will be represented on the board? We are not dealing with the same workforce as when the current board was appointed and the workforce comprises all sections of society.

Media reports state the legislation is about ensuring expertise will drive the organisation, which we all support, but surely there could be no greater expertise than that of those who work in the organisation and who have the confidence of the staff. When times get bad and changes are needed within the organisation, the worker directors would bring the workforce with them. They did in Bord na Móna and the ESB. They are, good decent people who are prepared to give their time to their organisation. The Minister should reconsider this provision and ensure a cross section of representation on the board. I do not want to hear that Ireland is too small and there are not enough women with the expertise to serve. We have enough women and they are waiting to be asked. Whether the worker directors are male or female, they must be considered because FÁS employees did not cause this problem and they should not lose out as a result.

Like Deputies Penrose and Shortall, I am making the case for worker directors. Why should those who continue to work for the organisation be the fall guys in this? The Minister is going the right way but she needs to tweak the legislation a little more.

Notice taken that 20 Members were not present; House counted and 20 Members being present,

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