John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I will comment briefly on the Bill, which I welcome. The Labour Services Act 1987, which established FÁS, was enacted a long time ago and even if there had not been any difficulty with FÁS, it is important that the area be reviewed. I welcome the Minister's commitment to a reduction in the size of the board of FÁS and the introduction of a rolling system of appointments. There will be a removal of the automatic right to nominate individuals for appointment to the board of FÁS from bodies not directly accountable to the taxpayer and the director general of the organisation will be made accountable to the Oireachtas. These are just some of the proposals.

We have all benefited as politicians from working with FÁS down through the years and the shenanigans of recent months, particularly at the high level in the organisation, in no way reflect on the personnel on the ground. Like all politicians, we deal on a daily basis with people working in the local FÁS office, and we find them very helpful, supportive and always looking to do what is best, particularly for the unemployed people up and down the country.

Deputy Ruairí Quinn is in the Chamber. Going back to when Deputy Howlin and I were members of Wexford County Council, we put forward the first proposal for community employment schemes.

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