Ireland

Coughlan accepts McLoone's resignation

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Tánaiste Mary Coughlan has accepted the resignation of FÁS Chairman Peter McLoone while the board of Fás has confirmed its intention to stand down.

Mr McLoone wrote a resignation letter to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment several days ago and she accepted it in the past 24 hours.

Mr McLoone's resignation became official after this afternoon's board meeting.

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The board will stand down but will stay on until new legislation to streamline to board is introduced. The Government is currently preparing that legislation and it is due to come before the Oireachtas next week.

In a statement, the board said its decision to remain in office is in keeping with the Tanaiste's wishes and that they are willing to cooperate with the new legislation, which is expected in November, and to facilitate an orderly transition to the new arrangements.

The board said it intends to use the remaining time before it stands down to continue its programme of reform in line with the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee and the Comptroller and Auditor General.

The board said it had sought to act properly at all times since its appointment in 2006 in dealing with a wide range of complex issues. It said it had acted decisively to address and correct problems as they arose and believes that in time, any objective assessment will demonstrate this.

FÁS board member Des Geraghty apologised for any waste of taxpayers money on behalf of the board.

Commenting on the board's decision, Bernard Allen TD (FG), Chairman of the Dáil Public Accounts Committee, said: 'I welcome the fact that the Board of FÁS have decided to go.

He added: 'It is imperative that the legislation which will allow for these changes is brought in urgently so that FÁS can get on with its responsibility of job creation and employment, something which is now more needed than ever.'

Earlier on, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee Bernard Allen has said he was unaware former Director General Rody Molloy had been permitted to keep a company car when he left the organisation amid controversy over expenses and financial controls.

Earlier, it was revealed that the Audi car which Rody Molloy was permitted to keep when he left the organisation was valued at €15,000.

A FÁS spokesperson said the decision to allow Mr Molloy to keep the car had been minuted at the board meeting on 17 December.

Mr Allen queried why Secretary General of the Department of Enterprise Trade & Employment Sean Gorman had not included the car in the details of Mr Molloy's departure package at the Oireachtas Committee last week.

He said he intends to pursue the matter further.

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RTÉ.ie News: Peter McLoone Resignation accepted within last 24 hours
Peter McLoone
Resignation accepted within last 24 hours
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