Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I do not recollect any issue being raised or any difficulty being expressed in regard to the composition of the board and the fact that the Government nominates one third of its members. There are a number of recommendations, one of which pertains to the manner, for example, in which the chairman will be appointed. This process is likely to take some time and is one of the reasons for the delay in replacing the former chairman. It may well be that the appropriate way to deal with this would be to appoint an interim chairman pending completion of at least the first phase of what is required in terms of allowing the Irish Red Cross to move towards independence.

I am aware of the adverse publicity which the Irish Red Cross has unfortunately attracted. We need to take action but to do so carefully to ensure we overcome that difficulty.

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