Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Defence the current relationship between him and the Irish Red Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31361/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Red Cross Society is an independent charitable body corporate which, in accordance with relevant legislation, is responsible for handling its own internal affairs. Whilst I am conscious of the importance attaching to its independence, I have been in contact in recent times with the Chairman of the Society in relation to corporate governance matters and I am satisfied that very good progress is being made in this regard.

Officials from my Department have also met regularly with the Irish Red Cross in recent months and will continue to do so in the context of changes that are proposed to the Irish Red Cross Order 1939. Officials have also met with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in this context.

When the Office of the Attorney General has finalised its work on the proposed amendments to the 1939 Order, I will bring the draft legislation to Government for approval. Regardless of whatever changes are made to the 1939 Order, a comprehensive review of all Red Cross legislation, and in particular the primary legislation, will then be commenced in accordance with a commitment given in the Programme for Government.

Finally, my Department pays an annual grant to the Society of €951,000 which includes the Government's annual contribution (currently €130,000) to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The balance of the grant goes towards the salary and administration costs of running the headquarters of the Irish Society. I am satisfied, on the basis of the Society's independently audited annual accounts and enquiries that I made in light of recent controversies, that the grant is properly accounted for and is used for the purposes that it is provided for.