Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans regarding the reform of Irish Red Cross; and if he will make a statement on matter. [30355/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Red Cross Society is an autonomous body, established by the Irish Red Cross Society Order 1939 pursuant to the Red Cross Act 1938. The society is a charitable organisation with full powers to manage and administer its affairs through its governing body, the central council. Membership of the central council is by way of appointment by the Government or by election in accordance with the rules of the society.

The formal report of the working group established by the Irish Red Cross Society to examine the issue of governance was received in the Department of Defence in January of this year. The Department of Defence held preliminary discussions with the society on the recommendations contained in the report during February 2010. On 18 May, I met the acting chairman and secretary general of the society and assured them of my support in helping them achieve the aims set out in the report. To implement the recommendations made, there will be a requirement for significant amendments to the Irish Red Cross Society Order 1939.

Representatives of the society and officials from the Department of Defence met on 9 June to discuss the specific changes required to the 1939 order. The Department of Foreign Affairs, which engages on an ongoing basis with the various components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and with the Irish Red Cross Society in regard to its overseas work, and the Department of the Taoiseach have been invited to participate in these discussions. Thereafter, any statutory changes necessary will be brought before the Government. I understand no issue has arisen that might necessitate an amendment to the Red Cross Act 1938.

In accordance with Article 9 of the Irish Red Cross Order 1939, the chairman of the society must be a member of the central council. In nominating persons to the central council, the Government considers it is highly desirable that the society have on its governing body professional people with a wide variety of knowledge and expertise, gained through work experience in both the public and private sector or volunteer experience with the society.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Has the Minister reached a conclusion on whether an interim chairperson should be appointed? I raise this issue because I have received further negative correspondence regarding the atmosphere within the Red Cross. It has been put to me that a variety of proposals on terms and conditions were rejected, 19 to nil, by the staff. The bad press continues unabated. A mechanism must be found to bring the matter to a conclusion, such as some form of independent arbitration. While I fully accept that the Red Cross is an autonomous body, the State provides almost €1 million per year towards its running costs. It has done and will continue to do a great deal of good, but the negative reports that are surfacing must end.

I take the point that a highly qualified person is required to act as chair. Any change made in the method of his or her appointment will take time. However, is there not a strong case for appointing an interim chairperson with the skills and experience to deal with the issues arising? I do not know who is right or wrong, but this matter must come to an end.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with Deputy O'Shea that the continuation of controversies surrounding the Red Cross is undesirable. We would like to do anything we can to address them. The Deputy will remember that, the first time I answered parliamentary questions as Minister, one of my concerns related to the indications at the time that legislative change to proceed with some of the changes recommended by the working group might be required. I am relieved that the current indications are that this is not likely to be the case. This is somewhat helpful.

The House will understand that the issue of terms and conditions of employment is entirely a matter between the employees and board of the Red Cross. I have no intention of interfering. Issues, such as changes in the manner of appointment, arise from the working group's recommendations. I have been trying to assess those changes, as I told Deputy O'Shea. In principle, I am well disposed towards the recommendations, but I have one or two minor concerns about matters that I would tweak were I working on them. There is a good case for an interim chairperson, but I would like to be clear on whether legislative change would be required. If I had established this as being the position, consulting with the Departments of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs would be fair and reasonable, as they have some responsibility in these areas. I do not anticipate that process taking long. While I would like to be in a position to move on the matter this month, it seems a more difficult aim to attain as each day goes by.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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I take on board the Minister's comments and in no way would I suggest that the independence of the Red Cross should be interfered with. As a measure to resolve the issues and given the climate within that organisation, though, there is a strong case for the quick appointment of an interim chairperson with the necessary skills so that the body can function to its maximum potential. I do not know what is occurring within it and we all get representations, but something is wrong and must be addressed urgently.

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The case for an interim chairperson would be absolute were we clear on the mandate that he or she would be given. In the current circumstances, I would like to be clear on the legislative base, the 1939 orders in the first instance and what we need to achieve in terms of the working group's recommendations before approaching someone and asking him or her to take on a specific job. Lumbering someone with a job would not be fair if he or she did not know what was expected of him or her.