Figures reveal how FÃS lived it up at Robbie Williams concert at taxpayersâ expense
FĂS executives and their invited guests spent a total of âŹ723 on alcohol and âŹ1,532 on food at a Robbie Williams concert, while the total outlay on tickets for the event was âŹ784, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act to TV3.
Commenting on this information Chairman, of the Public Accounts Committee Bernard Allen TD said: âOnce again FĂS top brass have shown that they were living in a parallel universe in recent years. There can be no justification for flagrantly wasting tax payersâ money on events like this which have absolutely no relevance to FĂSâ core business.
A report by the C&AG has revealed that between 2002-08 FAS spent a total of âŹ35,000 on hospitality and tickets for sports events and concerts. When those at a high level in FĂS should have been concentrating on training and securing employment it appears some of them were more interested in enjoying themselves and letting the State pick up the tab.
The Public Accounts Committee has been vigorous in trying to uncover went on in FĂS in the past and has produced a number of recommendations regarding the governance of the agency. We will be continuing our investigation of the agency in the coming weeks.
As part of this process we have asked for further detail regarding who exactly attended this concert and have requested additional information about other events arranged by FĂS.
It is some relief to Committee members that the new Director General of FĂS has assured us that spending of this nature has been discontinued. However, it is clear that in the past activity such as this was allowed to go under the radar and the Public Accounts Committee is determined that this not be allowed to happen again."
