Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 3

Written Answers. - Irish Red Cross Society.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

122 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Defence his views on the management, financial control and general administration of the Red Cross Society in recent years in view of the responsibilities of the Government in relation to its establishment and its powers, organisation, management, administration, finances and accounts; the position in relation to the current status of industrial relations and staff morale in the society; when the last in-depth audit including value for money audit was conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General into the running of the society; the actions, if any, he has taken or proposes to take on the issues arising from the management of the society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24076/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

My Department administers a yearly grant-in-aid to the Irish Red Cross Society. The society is an autonomous body with full powers to manage and administer its affairs through its governing body, the central council. The executive committee appointed by that body manages the day to day running of the affairs of the society. The accounts of the society are subject to the scrutiny of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

The society arranges for the annual independent auditing of its accounts and these audited accounts are made available to the Comptroller and Auditor General. The audited accounts were last requested by the Comptroller and Auditor General in 1998.