Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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129. To ask the Minister for Defence when he will publish the Red Cross (amendment) Bill; his views regarding recent events at the Irish Red Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11643/15]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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This goes to a matter that I have raised repeatedly on the Order of Business, that being, the publication of the Red Cross (amendment) Bill. Recent media reports suggest that all may not be well within the Red Cross, which emphasises the need for legislation on addressing governance issues to be introduced as a matter of urgency. I am particularly conscious of the fact that the secretary general and directors of finance and communications of the Red Cross have resigned recently. What is the Minister’s feeling on these resignations and will he reassure the public as regards the governance systems that are in place in the Red Cross, which spends approximately €900,000 of taxpayers' money at home and more abroad?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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 It is proposed that the existing primary legislation, which dates back to 1938, is to be repealed in new primary legislation that will redefine the relationship between the Government and the Irish Red Cross Society.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-----

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I am sorry, but we only have time for one supplementary question.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I will be brief. While I accept the Minister's answer, all is clearly not well. When three senior line managers in the organisation resign simultaneously, it indicates that there is a problem. That problem needs to be addressed urgently. The legislation to which the Minister referred needs to be introduced. It is not as though the Department of Defence is overrun in terms of the legislation it has in the pipeline. Indeed, no publication timelines have been indicated for any of its legislation. Will the Minister prioritise this matter, please?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Clearly, all is not well. That needs to be corrected. We are prioritising the legislation. The Deputy will see proof of that shortly when we finalise the heads of the legislation and I bring them to the Government.