Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I wish the previous Minister the best of luck in his future in Limerick. I am not taking issue with the Minister of State; he has read replies which are prepared for him. However, I take issue with the previous Minister when he told us he could not get involved. He was incorrect in his assertion that he or the Government could not get involved. That is why I went to the trouble of looking up the Red Cross Act 1938, which clearly states the Government can get involved. Section 1(2) states:

The Government may by the establishment order make provision in relation to all or any of the following matters, that is to say:—

(a) the powers of the Society;

(b) the organization of the Society;

(c) the management and administration of the affairs of the Society by a governing body

The Minister or the Government has the right, under legislation, to get involved. The Geneva Convention has been used as a excuse not to get involved, but it does not prevent the Government or Minister from getting involved.

I am sure the Minister of State will agree that a large amount of Government funding is involved, some €960,000. The main support of the Irish Red Cross is the Government. Surely, that behoves the Minister or Government to ensure the money concerned is spent properly and there is proper governance in the Irish Red Cross in order to ensure the money is spent properly. I ask the Minister of State to clarify the provisions in the Act. He raised the issue.

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