Shane Ross (Independent)

This distinction ought to be made. However, I have been unable to make such a distinction in this House at any length for some time, although I repeatedly have asked for debates on FÁS here. While I repeatedly have been given assurances that they will happen, they repeatedly have failed to appear or be granted.

Particularly in light of the Taoiseach's statement last night, FÁS, certainly in respect of those at its top, continues to be a protected political species, which is a dangerous position for any semi-State agency to be in. I deeply regret the Taoiseach's premature decision to defend the chief executive before the Committee of Public Accounts or any other body entrusted with examining FÁS has made a judgment in this regard. Fine Gael now has decided to examined this issue seriously, which I welcome. However, there has been a reluctance for a long time to examine FÁS and one must ask why. It is not just a political sacred cow as one will find it to be highly politicised in a party political way. This is deeply regrettable and it must stop.