I move:
That Dáil Éireann approves the following order in draft:—
International Federation of Voluntary Health Services Funds (Corporate Status) Order, 1971— a copy of which Order in draft form was laid before Dáil Éireann on 2nd November, 1971.
This draft order is being made under the International Health Bodies (Corporate Status) Act, 1971.
In the course of the debate on the Act I mentioned that I expected that it would be used in the first instance to enable the incorporation in Ireland of the International Federation of Health Service Funds. As anticipated, an application has been made by that body for the making of a corporate status order to enable their incorporation in Ireland.
This body had its origins at the first International Conference on Voluntary Health Insurance held in Dublin in 1966 at which delegates decided to establish an International federation to promote co-operation in the development and study of voluntary non-profit-making health services throughout the world. At the second international conference held in Sydney in 1968 a constitution was adopted which set up the International Federation of Voluntary Health Service Funds.
The aims and purposes of the federation are to assist individuals in obtaining health services and for this purpose to promote the development and study of voluntary non-profit health services throughout the world. These aims are in accord with the type of international body envisaged in the Act. The federation is a non-profit-making body.
Membership is open to—
(1) organisations carrying out, or co-ordinating voluntary health services on a non-profit basis;
(2) other organisations interested in voluntary non-profit health services; and
(3) persons interested in voluntary non-profit health services.
The Voluntary Health Insurance Board is a member of the federation and its general manager is secretary general and treasurer of the federation. The former general manager of the board is administrative director of the federation. Present membership of the federation consists of 89 organisations under category (1), seven under category (2) and eight individuals in category (3).
I am satisfied that the federation is a body that should be welcomed to this country and that its status is such that I would not hesitate to permit its incorporation. I have, in accordance with the terms of the Act, consulted the Minister for Industry and Commerce and he has no objection to granting corporate status to this body.
I would therefore commend this resolution to the House.
