Shane Ross (Independent)

The board must be moved on and the social partners and political nominees must be removed. It must be made into, as Senator Harris stated, a really good lean machine that works in the public service. At present, it is a bloated sacred cow that must be thinned down.

I ask one relevant question of the Leader. Can Members have a debate on FÁS? Had Members such a debate when I requested it before the summer, this House would be taking the lead on this issue. However, as usual Members are following from behind. If Members have a debate now, it will be too late.

Members should consider one matter which is of concern to me. For years, it was not simply the Irish taxpayer who was funding FÁS to the extent of €1 billion in what constituted unexplained money. For years, European funds also propped up FÁS. Could we consider asking the European Commission whether it would be interested in examining whether those funds were being used properly? There is a deep issue, in that abusing our own funds is one thing but abusing European funds as well in some ways has far more wide-ranging implications for the nation.