DISCLOSURES ABOUT the operations of Fás have been in the news for months. The Dáil Public Accounts Committee began an investigation following a number of reports in newspapers, including The Irish Times, while the Opposition raised the topic in the Dáil on a number of occasions.
The countdown to the resignation of director general, Rody Molloy, began on Sunday with the latest set of disclosures in the Sunday Independentabout expenses of €643,000 incurred by himself and other Fás executives on trips to the United States involving first class air travel over a four-year period.
On Monday morning Mr Molloy went on the Today with Pat Kennyprogramme on RTÉ Radio 1 and triggered the events that led to his resignation by not appearing to understand what the fuss was about. "I'm entitled to travel first class," Molloy said. Asked to confirm that he had traded down his first-class ticket for two business-class tickets, he responded: "In one instance that's what happened, yeah." Mr Molloy did concede that it was "hellishly expensive" but defended his wife's travel, saying it did not involve any additional expense to Fás.
The Fine Gael spokesman on enterprise and employment, Leo Varadkar, then issued a statement calling on the Tánaiste Mary Coughlan to take a stand.
"The Tánaiste must now back or sack Rody Molloy and his board," demanded Mr Varadkar.
Asked for his response, the Taoiseach, Mr Cowen, said there was an investigation and of Mr Molloy: "I know him personally he's an excellent public servant down the years and I've every confidence in him." Pressed further he added: "Yes well obviously these issues have to be looked at, will be looked at in due course, when an investigation is set up and undertaken, and I think in the meantime we have to let people get on with the important work they're doing."
Asked if he had every confidence in Mr Molloy's ability to run Fás, Mr Cowen replied: "I've always had excellent confidence in him, yes." In the Dáil on Tuesday the Taoiseach adopted a more nuanced approach.
"I am not standing over any profligate or unauthorised spending. No one can stand over that. The process that is being undertaken is being conducted by the Committee of Public Accounts. The Comptroller and Auditor General has been asked to examine all this and detail the situation so that decisions can be taken on it. Obviously, there are questions to be answered. This needs to be dealt with as urgently and expeditiously as possible."
As Mr Cowen was speaking Mr Molloy was involved in discussions about his resignation with board members at Fás. He had a phone conversation with the Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan, who was in Dubai. A statement from the board announcing his resignation was issued about 11pm on Tuesday.
