Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 343: To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Irish Red Cross intends to introduce compulsory redundancies together with pay cuts, pension benefit reductions, pension contribution increases, reduction in time of lieu and abolition of privilege days for staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45400/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, 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. As the Society is an independent, self-governing charitable institution, I have no responsibility for the day-to-day running of the organisation. Therefore, I have no involvement in the matters raised by the Deputy.

However, as we are all aware, many organisations are currently faced with difficult financial constraints and it is incumbent on all of them to manage their affairs to minimise the effects of the recession. As is the case in many organisations, the Society must take whatever steps it deems necessary to ensure its financial viability.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 344: To ask the Minister for Defence if is satisfied the Irish Red Cross have appropriate plans and structures in place to disburse the moneys being collected to deal with the national flood emergency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45407/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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As you are aware, 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 Central Council of the Society (as provided for in the Order) controls and manages the affairs of the organisation. Therefore, I have no responsibility for the day to day running of the Society.

The Society has vast experience and a proven record of handling the aftermath of disasters and disbursing monetary relief to victims and I have no doubt that this expertise will be brought to bear in the best possible way on this occasion. Their plans and structures are highly developed and well tested. Such plans and structures will be tailored to meet the specific requirements of the current flooding crisis. It should be noted that the funds to be administered in this instance are funds raised on foot of a public appeal by the Society and are not Government funds and therefore I do not exercise any discretion over the manner in which they may be distributed.

The Society has previously administered flood schemes on behalf of the Government and it did so with acknowledged efficiency, effectiveness and minimal bureaucracy. In recent years, the Irish Red Cross Society has also administered many millions in overseas aid and donations as well as sophisticated bilateral and multilateral aid programmes. Its reputation in these areas is considerable. Having regard to this fact I have no reason to doubt that the Society can administer its own flood scheme in a similar fashion.