Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The figure is a little less than that, but it is substantial. In accordance with a programme for Government commitment, my Department is continuing to progress a legal review of the basis, structures and governance of the Irish Red Cross. It is proposed that the existing primary legislation, which dates back to 1938, is to be repealed in new primary legislation that will redefine the relationship between the Government and the Irish Red Cross Society. This will further underpin the independence of the society. Draft heads of the Red Cross Bill are being finalised.

In recent years, the society has reformed its corporate governance structures and has in place a governance framework that meets the standards set by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The reforms introduced were facilitated by the legislative amendments made by this Government in 2012, which represented the most wide-ranging and fundamental set of changes to have occurred since the establishment of the society in 1939.

While the society is an independent charitable body corporate with full power to manage and administer its own affairs, it has without question made substantial improvements to its governance framework in recent years. I am nevertheless also aware that, despite this progress, there is some concern that other aspects of governance have not moved as quickly and that this is an issue of ongoing debate within the society. As the Deputy has pointed out, three senior managers at the society have recently resigned from their positions. With the outgoing chairman's term of office coming to an end shortly, this is a time of change at the society in terms of its board, officers and management. It is important that the incoming administration find the right balance between the pace of reform and the obligation to manage the society in a way that meets the expectations of all of its stakeholders, including the Government, which commits approximately €860,000-----

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