Vol. 533 No. 4
25 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on his recent visit to the headquarters of the Irish Red Cross Society; and if he will outline the discussions he had with the executive committee, staff representatives and members of the central council. [9004/01]
39 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Defence if he has yet received a copy of the draft strategic review of the Irish Red Cross Society; his views on the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9005/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 39 together.
On 22 February I visited the headquarters of the Irish Red Cross Society and I was pleased to meet the executive committee, staff members and the central council. I expressed my appreciation and that of the Government for the work of the members over many years and for their ongoing humanitarian activities. I also confirmed the confidence the Government has in the Irish Red Cross Society in dealing with tragedies and emergencies, which was clearly demonstrated with the recent flood relief scheme, when the society distributed humanitarian aid at home to the flood victims with kindness and sensitivity, while ensuring the whole process ran smoothly and speedily to its conclusion. I also thanked the Irish Red Cross Society for its recent contribution in relation to the disasters in El Salvador and India and also for the tireless work undertaken to get essential aid to those suffering from the effects of war and natural disasters in Ethiopia and Mozambique.
I welcome the completion of the strategic review of the society which was recently ratified by the central council and I look forward to receiving a copy in the near future.
I thank the Minister for his reply. There were problems in relation to industrial relations within the Irish Red Cross Society. Is the Minister satisfied they have now been overcome and is there an actual date as to when the new strategic plan will be launched? Also, was there any discussion on how the grant aid of £500,000 given by the Government was to be spent or was that within the remit of the society?
I will deal with the second question first. The grant is £609,000. The Red Cross is a totally autonomous society. That money mainly goes towards the employment of its staff and towards the contribution made to the International Red Cross in Geneva. There have been some problems in regard to industrial relations. The strategic review covers an overall plan for the future and deals with industrial relations. I availed of the opportunity on the occasion of my visit to the Red Cross to meet everyone possible from the staff, the central council to the volunteers. There is a clear determination to leave that chapter behind and to move forward. I wish to respond to the changes recommended in the strategic plan in any way I can on the financial side and to their determination to improve and gain an even better foothold in the humanitarian tasks they have performed at home and, particularly, in war-torn areas of different parts of the world.
Is the Minister satisfied with the facilities available to the society? My understanding at the time of the industrial relations problem was that the conditions and facilities available to staff at headquarters could be improved.
No complaints have been made to me. I visited most of the offices, spoke to the staff available at the time and looked at some of the systems in place. If there are ongoing needs in these areas we will look at them together in a progressive and open manner.
Many people questioned the wisdom of appointing the Red Cross to administer the flood relief. Since the job has been carried out we have not heard one complaint. It deserves to be complimented on having done an excellent job. If such an unfortunate incident recurs it would be well placed to carry out the same function.
I complimented them myself and I thank Deputies Timmins and Wall for similar observations. An organisation such as that needs encouragement when it is successful in performing tasks of such a sensitive nature. The task was completed smoothly and well. We would hope it would not be called upon too often to meet those obligations at national level.
