Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

The key question I asked relates to the credibility of the new structures. I repeat that I believe the leopard has not changed its spots, that since the investigations took place participants who were to re-sit examinations did not turn up and the certification is issuing to them, and that is not acceptable. That is at the core of all of this.

It is a year since there was an EU audit of European Social Fund moneys which were expended on FÁS programmes. There has been a draft decision of the EU, which the Tánaiste has not published for some months. At what stage is that draft finding against the Department, what response did the Tánaiste make to it and what is the present situation regarding the money that is alleged to be outstanding?

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