Shane Ross (Independent)

FÁS is riddled with political appointment and has been politicised and protected for years. There are signs that the Government again is appointing its cronies to semi-State bodies and State agencies, which simply is unacceptable. This kind of disease will infiltrate, if it has not done, other semi-State bodies and similar situations will arise, although perhaps not on the same scale. This issue must be attacked on a very large scale. It no longer simply pertains to FÁS, it is a matter of politicising semi-State bodies and removing politicisation from the political arena. Certainly, one must ensure that such appointees are checked and double-checked and are subject to some scrutiny and accountability by which they are not simply appointed by Ministers.