Molloy says first-class travel not appropriate

PAC HEARING:FORMER DIRECTOR general of Fás Rody Molloy said it was not appropriate for him to have travelled first class while working for the State-training authority.

Mr Molloy apologised to the Dáil Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for failing to appear before it last week, and accepted that “some mistakes were made” during his stewardship of Fás.

Mr Molloy resigned last month following controversy around excessive expenses incurred by executives at Fás. He appeared before the committee yesterday to answer questions about a special audit report into matters at the corporate affairs division and other spending matters.

Mr Molloy also told the committee it was he who authorised a round-the-world trip for retired assistant director general Gerald Pyke at a cost of €12,000. He also acknowledged it was inappropriate.

Committee chairman Bernard Allen last week criticised Mr Molloy for failing to appear before the committee. He said it was unacceptable for highly paid public servants to think they could “ride away into the sunset”.

Mr Molloy said yesterday he had failed to show up because he had resigned and was no longer accounting officer at Fás.

He said he knew his position at Fás was untenable after his “ill-judged” interview with RTÉ’s Pat Kenny in which he defended spending by Fás executives.

He contacted the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan to tell her he was considering resigning, and then he resigned. He was not asked or encouraged to resign by the Minister.

The following days were traumatic for him and his family, and his home was “besieged” by elements of the media.

“I was proud to lead Fás for eight years,” said Mr Molloy. “I believe I made a contribution to continuously improving that service. I also made some mistakes along the way.”

He said he had understood first-class travel was in order and in line with public service guidelines, but accepted in hindsight that it was not appropriate.