Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 28: To ask the Minister for Defence if concerns have been expressed to him from inside or outside his Department in regard to the alleged underperformance of the Irish Red Cross both in Ireland and overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25004/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Irish Red Cross Society is an autonomous charitable body with full powers to manage and administer its affairs through its governing body, the central council. I have no function in the day-to-day administration of the Irish Red Cross and, as such, I am not involved in the day-to-day running of its affairs.

I am not aware of any allegations of underperformance of the Irish Red Cross in Ireland and overseas. I received correspondence earlier this year from a member of the central council, who informed me of her decision to resign from the council of the society. In the letter, the council member expressed concerns to me about governance, accountability and transparency issues within the society. I forwarded the letter, with the consent of the person concerned, to the chairman of the society.

I understand that a range of issues relating to the governance, organisational structures and electoral arrangements of the society are currently the subject of consideration by a governance committee within the society. That committee is expected to report to the executive committee and the central council before the end of this year.

The contents of the report will be subject to discussion between the Departments of the Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs and Defence and the Irish Red Cross Society and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister for his reply. He will recall that when I raised this with him previously the issues that had been described to me included an appalling industrial relations record, high turnover of staff and a history of general secretaries being dismissed. I understand the last general secretary was dismissed in 2007 during the course of a dispute and that she was the fifth or sixth general secretary to have been dismissed. The current general secretary is a career civil servant on loan from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

The Minister states he does not interfere in the day-to-day running of the organisation. The issue that has been raised with me, and which was raised in the letter sent to the Minister by that person earlier in the year, relates to governance. One of the main allegations is that the chairperson has been reappointed for the fourth time for a three-year tenure and that this reappointment was not greeted internally with any great enthusiasm. The Minister also appoints 14 members to the council of the society. One of the allegations is that these people and the chairman are political appointees to an independent organisation whose work is both national and international.

The Minister referred this letter to the chairman of the society. The alleged issues of governance relate to the board and the chairman and the Minister appoints the board. Has he considered the fact that many of these people have been on the board for a long time and have been reappointed many times? It appears to me that the Minister's hands-off attitude is not appropriate in light of the letter he received earlier this year and the issues I am raising today. He said at the committee meeting that he would reply to me.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I apologise to the Deputy and I will reply to his query.

The governance committee of the Irish Red Cross Society is currently examining various issues of governance and I will await the outcome of its deliberations. The chairman is appointed for a three-year term and this is the fourth time he has been reappointed. However, I have been informed that the general view, except for one or two people, is that he has been a very good chairman. I noted much enthusiasm within the society when I reappointed the existing chairman.

As regards the reappointment of the members of the council, the legislation stipulates that the Government must appoint a number of people which is not less than one third of the total membership. This means the Government must appoint at least 14 people because the society's local branches elect 28 people.

As Minister for Defence, I stand over everyone I have appointed. I have taken some pains to ensure that those being appointed would have some contribution to make. I spoke personally to everyone I appointed and I discussed with them their functions and what problems needed to be dealt with. I have tried to ensure that people appointed to these positions would have a contribution to make and they are making that contribution. I will await the report of the governance committee.

I do not wish to deal with the specific allegations Deputy O'Shea has raised. I know the contents of the letter, which has been passed on. Over the years there have been one or two other complaints of an anonymous nature to which we did not lend too much credence. I have received one or two complaints about governance but these are matters for the governance committee. I have not received any specific complaint about underperformance, either at home or abroad.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I understand that an officer of the Department is a member of the council of the society. Have all the reports from this person been positive or does the Minister receive reports from that person with regard to the conduct of affairs in the Irish Red Cross Society?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

No communication I have received from that person has indicated to me that there are problems. There are problems in every organisation but no problems on the scale referred to by the Deputy have been indicated to me.