Shane Ross (Independent)

To restore some of the harmony which normally exists on the Independent benches, I wish to show the unanimity we feel about Ingrid Betancourt's release and I acknowledge the role my colleagues played in bringing this to the House and I hope we played some part in ensuring her release.

The debate we will have next week is all very well but while the HSE should be put under scrutiny, it is an easy target. I ask the Leader for an opportunity to examine in far greater detail another State agency, namely, FÁS, which has been something of a sacred cow in this and the other House for many years. Recent revelations about activities in the agency are disturbing and uncomfortable and we should be prepared to tackle them. FÁS has a budget of €870 million and the Minister for Finance could consider this as being worthy of severe cuts when he examines cutbacks in the economy next week. Judging by the revelations, it is in danger of becoming a political slush fund and it is difficult to know where the money allocated to FÁS by the Oireachtas and the European Union has been going. Perhaps we should welcome the European Commission asking what is happening to its money and where it is going because the Comptroller and Auditor General had some harsh words to say about FÁS in a recent report. The impression is going abroad — I suspect it is right — that the agency has too much money and too little to do.