Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the comments by Deputies O'Shea and Deenihan and agree with both in many respects. Ultimately, the logic of what Deputy O'Shea said in regard to State involvement cannot be argued against. That is a direction that may or may not be possible within the legal parameters that are currently in place under that Act, which, as the Deputy says, dates from a particular era and reflects that fact. Notwithstanding this, the need for a modern governance structure is probably a matter of considerable urgency and how that can be achieved is an issue on which we will have future engagement. I welcome the support of the Deputies and also the goodwill in society, which is reflected in both Houses, towards the International Red Cross and the Irish Red Cross.

See this speech in context