Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The Irish Red Cross Society is an autonomous charitable body with full powers to manage and administer its affairs through its governing body, the central council. I have no function in the day-to-day administration of the Irish Red Cross and, as such, I am not involved in the day-to-day running of its affairs.

I am not aware of any allegations of underperformance of the Irish Red Cross in Ireland and overseas. I received correspondence earlier this year from a member of the central council, who informed me of her decision to resign from the council of the society. In the letter, the council member expressed concerns to me about governance, accountability and transparency issues within the society. I forwarded the letter, with the consent of the person concerned, to the chairman of the society.

I understand that a range of issues relating to the governance, organisational structures and electoral arrangements of the society are currently the subject of consideration by a governance committee within the society. That committee is expected to report to the executive committee and the central council before the end of this year.

The contents of the report will be subject to discussion between the Departments of the Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs and Defence and the Irish Red Cross Society and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

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