Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Defence if he received the report of the internal investigation in the Irish Red Cross regarding the Tipperary bank account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47268/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Last weekend the Irish Red Cross published the report of its internal investigation. I have examined the report and I note there was no misappropriation or mis-allocation of funds. However, there were serious administrative failures in the Society with regard to the management of some of the monies collected for the Tsunami Appeal in 2005. The report states that the Society did not have sufficient staff or management controls in place to deal with the huge response to the appeal. The Society collected over €32 million in this appeal. The most serious issue addressed in the report is the delay by the Tipperary Branch of the Society in forwarding €162,960 from the Branch account to HQ. The report stresses that the Tipperary Branch in no way attempted to hide or retain the monies.

The report shows serious deficiencies in accounting procedures. Since his appointment in September 2010 the new Chairman of the Society has put improved governance of the Society's affairs at the top of his agenda. The Society has already implemented procedures to avoid a recurrence of these events and is well advanced in strengthening new financial procedures. I understand from the Society that the recommendations in the report will also be implemented as a matter of urgency. Importantly, every cent of the monies donated for areas affected by the Tsunami has been and will go to relief projects in the affected areas.