Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 19: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans for the Irish Red Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14022/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Programme for Government provides for the initiation of a detailed legal review of the basis, structures and governance of the Red Cross in Ireland to improve its functioning in the light of changing circumstances. Work has commenced in the Department of Defence in this regard and the Heads of the Bill should be ready for publication later this year. In addition, officials from the Department and the Office of the Attorney General have now finalised the text of a proposed Government Order that will amend the Irish Red Cross Society Order 1939. The proposed amendments are the most wide ranging and fundamental set of changes to have occurred since the Irish Red Cross Society was established in 1939. These changes seek to provide corporate governance arrangements that will bring the Society into the 21st century and which will ensure compliance with a resolution that was passed in November 2007 by the Council of Delegates of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies which urged all National Societies to examine and update their Statutes - the rules of the National Societies - and related legal texts by 2010.

Amongst the key changes proposed in the Amendment Order, which will be brought to Government very shortly, is provision for the Chairperson to be elected by the Society's General Assembly in accordance with the rules of the Society. To date, the Chairperson has always been appointed by the President, on the nomination of the Government. Also, changes are to be made to the composition of the Society's governing body, its General Assembly, whereby not more than 10% of its membership can be nominated by Government - the current position is that not less than one-third is nominated by Government.

Furthermore, provision has been made in the rules of the Society that a member of the Board of Directors must stand down for one full three year term once they have served on the Board for two consecutive three year terms.

These changes to the Constitution and Rules of the Society have been fully endorsed by the "Joint Statutes Commission" of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent Societies. Last year, the Head of Governance Support at the International Federation wrote to the Irish Red Cross congratulating the Society "for its continued efforts in revising its legal base" and, more recently, has confirmed in writing that the changes that the Society has made are in conformity with the requirements of its 'Guidance for National Societies Statutes'. Furthermore, Dóchas (the umbrella body for Irish Development NGOs) has confirmed that the Society's Governance Framework is consistent with its Code of Corporate Governance.

I believe there is quite clearly a very strong process of reform under way at the Irish Red Cross Society and he is very supportive of the substantial efforts that it continues to make in bringing about real and meaningful reform, particularly in the areas of financial control and corporate governance. The proposed Amendment Order and the changes recently made to the Society's Constitution and Rules represent very important steps in this continuing process.

Question No. 20 answered with Question No. 7.