Fine Gael Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, has today (Sunday) called on the Government to publish, in full, the report issued to the Government in 2002 by the European Commission, which warned of serious financial mismanagement within Fás.

“Statements in today’s media suggest that a report by the European Commission, which was issued to the Government in 2002, warned of serious internal and financial control problems which existed within the State agency at that time. The confidential document identified ‘weak and unreliable’ internal controls, ‘unsound’ applications for EU funds and no clear paper trails for some major projects.

“This latest revelation is further evidence that Government Ministers should have been aware of the problems at Fás. Had they taken action back in 2002 millions of our tax euros that were wasted by Fás could have been saved.

“I am calling on the Government to publish this report in full so that the complete extent of the situation at Fás, as far back as 2002, can be made clear.”

Ends

Note: Media report appeared in today’s Sunday Business Post