Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Minister's last comments. I would not expect him to do anything that might upset the investigation. If the Minister of State has any respect for me or for his position, however, he would not come in here and tell me three and half years later what is happening. FÁS is well aware of what went on, FÁS participants have testified to officials about how their names were forged on documents and sick pay was drawn down for one individual.

The bottom line is honesty, openness, transparency and good governance, and the implications for taxpayers must be dealt with. FÁS says the matter might be passed on to the gardaí but it is already in the hands of the gardaí. Why is FÁS unable or unwilling to deal with this in its investigation? It has a duty to deal with it because a huge amount of taxpayers' money was involved and a wonderful project is lying idle with the crows flying in and out of it while innuendo permeates the town.

This must be cleared up. The Minister must go back to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, about the Pobal investigation. It would not happen in a country run by a junta, where there would be no answers three and a half years later and the truth would not be uncovered, no matter who it might embarrass. Who is holding back this investigation and why? I have heard all sorts of rumours.

I salute those brave people who are trying to get this finished. I salute the former chairman, Mr. Martin Quinn, for being awarded Tipperary person of the year at the event on 18 May. I wish him well following his recent illness but the truth must out and wrongdoing must be exposed. The person who did wrong must be prosecuted and we must not besmirch the good name of voluntary directors of companies up and down the country. There is one law for everyone in the country, not two. We are supposed to live in a democracy and respect everyone equally. We must get to the bottom of this. I do not want to have to beg the Ceann Comhairle to raise this again in another eight months. It is time this was brought to finality. It is unfair on the good people of Tipperary to have this morass hanging over them. Whoever is keeping a lid on it must be exposed.

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