Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for selecting this matter for discussion. Earlier this year I raised this issue with the Minister. Since then, a file has been given to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and to the Secretary General of the Department. Very serious allegations have been made in that file.

This is a long-serving employee who has worked for IFI for many years. His father before him and his family gave great service to this State. He was accused of using a tractor, he was suspended from the company and he was then cleared. Even though the CEO himself used machinery to bring his boat from Galway to Donegal, he suspended the staff member and nothing happened to the CEO.

I am calling on the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, to ask the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to take this seriously. He is responsible and has the seal of office. He is the Minister with responsibility for this Department and I want an independent investigation on this, not by someone within the Department but by someone away from the Department. Bring in a barrister or somebody to do an independent review on this because what has happened to this decent family that gave great service to this State is outrageous. I am asking for the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the Secretary General to take a hands-on approach to this. There cannot be two laws in this country; one for the working man and one for CEOs of State agencies. I call my two colleagues to come in on this.

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