Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I thank the Office of the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity of raising this urgent matter regarding the management of the Irish Red Cross, particularly the dismissal case of Mr. Noel Wardick. Let us remember, before discussing the details of the case, that the Irish Red Cross is receiving over €1 million in taxpayers' money. I have raised this urgent matter on a number of occasions with the Minister for Defence. I welcome the fact that the Minister is present to participate in the debate. It is a question of openness, transparency and justice for Mr. Wardick, whom I totally support in his quest for fair play and the protection of his human and legal rights.

I am strongly in favour of urgent reform of the Irish Red Cross. I call on the Ministers for Defence and Foreign Affairs to make this a priority in the Dáil. Some people at the senior level in the organisation have got to wake up and return to their own principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. The people and taxpayers of this country want their Red Cross to act in a caring and professional manner. This is not happening at present.

I have other concerns. The Minister should investigate the undeclared Tipperary bank account in respect of which €162,000 raised for flood victims was not spent. We need a new secretary general. Following these actions, we need a full general assembly of members, staff and volunteers. Then we need a full investigation into the affairs and operations of the Irish Red Cross. The status quo should end. Reform and change represent the only way forward for the Irish Red Cross.

I strongly support the case of Mr. Noel Wardick. He was formally dismissed from the Irish Red Cross on 10 November and removed from the payroll. He is still awaiting the result of the Irish Red Cross appeal and is unable to claim the jobseeker's allowance and other social welfare benefits. The Irish Red Cross fired him before any appeal was heard, in breach of its own policies. The Irish Red Cross refused a third party appeal, as per Mr. Wardick'sentitlements under Irish Red Cross policy. The Irish Red Cross refused Mr. Wardick's appeal to an authority higher than that which heard the original case.

The Irish Red Cross is granting Mr. Wardick an appeal, but only to more board members - two, to be precise. The investigation hearing resulted in a finding of gross misconduct. Two additional board members issued the sanction of dismissal and no appeal, bringing the total number of board members involved in the disciplinary process to six.

Most of Mr. Wardick's accusations concern malpractice, negligence, cronyism, abuse of power and financial irregularities. As such, having board members investigate his case is in fundamental breach of the first principle of natural justice. The accused cannot investigate the accuser. I urge the Minister to heed this in the debate.

The Irish Red Cross has only allowed Mr. Wardick a written appeal to the two board members. There will be no oral questions or clarifications. Mr. Wardick submitted written appeal documents to the Irish Red Cross and awaits the outcome. The strong objections submitted by him regarding the process itself must be addressed. He will also apply for a hearing over employment dismissal. Mr. Wardick is currently unemployed as a result of his whistleblowing activities and because he lacks a P45, he is unable to claim benefits.

Transparency International Ireland, a global organisation that monitors corruption and abuse, calls for an independent investigation into the affairs and operations of the Irish Red Cross and asks that Mr. Wardick be reinstated immediately. Transparency International Ireland made this statement publicly in a formal letter to the chairman of the Irish Red Cross. The Minister should insist that the Irish Red Cross hold this independent investigation.

For 20 years the Irish Red Cross has been bedevilled with serious governance problems, industrial relations problems and financial irregularities. The common denominator during all this time has comprised the same two or three people.

The Minister appoints the chairman of Irish Red Cross, 16 members of the 40-member central council and has representation on the Irish Red Cross executive committee. He also gives the Irish Red Cross nearly €1 million annually. His claims that he cannot act and investigate are wrong. The 1939 Act establishing the Irish Red Cross specifically allows him to intervene in day-to-day affairs. Therefore, why is it that his official from the Department of Defence is the formal administrator in the disciplinary hearing into the activities of Mr. Wardick? There cannot be any more detailed day-to-day involvement than in the disciplinary process in question, bearing in mind the identity of those centrally involved in the dismissal of Noel Wardick, who in good faith has revealed matters of public interest and has been fired for his troubles. Why is an honest and genuine whistleblower not subject to the Government's legislation to protect whistleblowers?

I urge common sense in the making of radical changes to the Irish Red Cross. I support totally Mr. Wardick. Support is the least this House can offer.

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