PROTECTION FOR “whistleblowers” and statutory guidelines covering conflicts of interest are included in a Bill to be published today that provides for a new, smaller board at Fás.
The Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009, a copy of which has been seen by The Irish Times, will allow for the reduction of the Fás board to 11 members from 17, and will remove the role of the social partner organisations, and Fás employees, in appointing directors.
The Bill provides that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment selects the board in a non-prescribed manner and “in consultation with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs and the Minister for Education and Science”.
Those appointed will have experience and expertise in areas relevant to the functions of Fás and in “finance, trade, commerce, corporate governance or public administration”.
The director general of Fás will serve as an ex-officio member of the board, something that does not currently happen. The Bill addresses the issue of conflicts of interest for directors and staff and provides for the disciplining of persons who breach the new guidelines, up to dismissal.
The new law will provide for the protection of employees who, on a bona fide basis, report suspected wrongdoing to the Garda or to a member of the board. It will also allow members of the board to disclose information obtained in the course of their duties to the Minister. This is restricted by the law as it stands.
The Bill will also make the director general of Fás accountable to the Dáil Committee on Public Accounts. It also stipulates that directors should only serve for two five-year terms, and provides for a rolling system of appointments aimed at facilitating the ongoing introduction of fresh ideas.
The Bill allows the Minister remove a director who is not adequately performing his or her functions or whose removal is necessary or expedient for the effective performance of Fás.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan, wants to send out a signal that the culture in the training authority has to change and that she is determined to restore public confidence in it.
The Dáil will debate today and tomorrow a Private Members’ motion from the Labour Party on Fás to do with political oversight of the body over the past decade and the retirement package given to the former director general, Rody Molloy.