"The significant governance changes implemented by this legislation, together with the appointment of a new board, sends a clear signal to the public of the root and branch cultural change in accountability and transparency underway at the organisation. Today is an important day for the taxpayer and for the clients and staff of the organisation. It marks a fresh start for FÁS as the State's key delivery agency for the training and activation of our workforce." The Tánaiste announced that the Board of FÁS is to be chaired by Mr. Michael Dempsey, a former Senior Director of Bristol Myers Squibb. The Board's membership draws on a wide range of experience from both the private and public sector, with expertise in different fields.
"The new Board has been appointed on the basis of experience and competence. It will, in my view, be a dynamic Board ensuring that FÁS can meet the standards expected of it by the public and effectively address the current employment challenge." The Labour Services (Amendment) Act 2009 provides for a significantly stronger governance and accountability structure at FÁS and, specifically, provides for:
· a reduction in the size of the Board of FÁS from 17 to 11;
· introduction of a rolling system of appointments to the Board;
· removal of the automatic right to nominate individuals for appointment to the Board from bodies not directly accountable to the taxpayer;
· making the Director General of FÁS accountable to the Oireachtas;
· requiring the disclosure of conflicts of interest by directors and staff of FÁS;
· banning directors and staff of FÁS from any involvement on matters where they have a conflict;
· providing for the removal of directors or termination of staff contracts where there is a breach in this regard; and
· protection for 'whistleblower' members of staff who report serious wrongdoing in the organisation.
The Tánaiste said the new governance structure builds on the improved financial and management practices now in place across the organisation under the guidance of its new Director General, Mr. Paul O'Toole.
The Tánaiste thanked the outgoing Board for its work and the commitment it has shown, in particular in addressing the significant challenges that the organisation has encountered in the more recent past. The Tánaiste also thanked those who had expressed an interest in being appointed to the new Board.
Concluding, she wished the new members well and expressed her confidence that they would provide strong leadership for the agency as it works to implement Government policy on employment, training and activation during this challenging period.
ENDS
The list of persons appointed by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to the Board of FÁS is as follows:
No. Name 1. Mr. Michael Dempsey (Chairperson)
Experience: Former Senior Director, European Markets, Bristol Myers Squibb; Board Member, Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
2. Mr. Paul O'Toole
(ex officio) Director General, FÁS.
3. Mr. Dermot Curran
Assistant Secretary, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
4. Mr. Tony Dempsey
Former Teachta Dála; Former Principal, Enniscorthy Vocational College; Chairman, Enniscorthy Enterprise Centre.
5. Mr. Seán Gallagher
Managing Director, Smarthomes Limited; Board Member, InterTradeIreland
6. Ms. Emer Gilvarry
Solicitor; Managing Partner, Mason, Hayes and Curran.
7. Mr. Martin Hogan
Innovation Manager, Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology; Managing Director, Statesoft Limited.
8. Ms. Annette Hughes
Director, DKM Economic Consultants; Member, Euroconstruct; Member, National Competitiveness Council.
9. Mr. Séan Ó Longáin
Barrister; Former Chief Executive Officer, County Donegal Vocational Education Committee.
10. Dr. Brendan J. Murphy
President, Cork Institute of Technology.
11. Ms. Margaret Sweeney
Accountant; Chief Executive Officer, Postbank Ireland Limited; Board Member, Teagasc.
ENDS
This press release is also available on the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment's website: www.entemp.ie.Press Office, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Ph: 631 2200; Fax: 631 2828.
