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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Jun 2001

Vol. 537 No. 5

Written Answers. - Irish Red Cross Society.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

187 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the total number of members of the central council of the Irish Red Cross Society nominated by him; the proportion of the total membership this represents; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by the International Red Cross regarding the independence of the Irish Red Cross Society having regard to the number of Government nominees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16742/01]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

188 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself that the current governing structures of the Irish Red Cross Society conform with the conditions for the recognition of national Red Cross societies set by the International Red Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16743/01]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

189 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence when the legislation governing the Irish Red Cross Society was last amended to take account of the recommendations of the International Red Cross regarding the constitution and governance of Red Cross national societies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16744/01]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

196 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if membership of the Irish Red Cross Society is open to all; if his attention has been drawn to the steps to include immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers as members and beneficiaries of the society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16752/01]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 187, 188, 189 and 196 together.

The Irish Red Cross Society Order, 1939, as amended, is the establishment order of the society, made by the Government under the terms of section 1 of the Red Cross Act, 1938 – No. 32 of 1938. This order prescribes that not less than one third of the total membership of the central council is nominated by the Government. The other members of the central council consist of members elected from the society's areas. Currently the Government has nominated 17 persons as members of the central council of the Irish Red Cross for the period up to 30 April 2003. This represents 40% of the total membership of the central council.
The legislation governing the Irish Red Cross Society was last amended by the Irish Red Cross Society (Amendment) Order, 1999, S.I. No. 44 of 1999. This amendment revoked paragraph (2) of Article 5 of the Irish Red Cross Society Order, 1939, thereby enabling the society to make rules which will, (a) provide for the persons, including other than Irish citizens, who may become members of the society; and (b) allow for refusal of, and removal from, membership of the society for good and sufficient reasons.
Under the strategic plan recently adopted by the society, I understand that all matters relating to the structure and governance of the society will be addressed and should any legislative changes be required I will bring forward appropriate legislation. As I have already indicated, the Irish Red Cross Society is an autonomous body with full powers to manage and administer its affairs through its governing body, the central council. I have no function in the administration of the Irish Red Cross and I do not get involved in the day to day running of its affairs.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

190 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the total amount of funding received by the Irish Red Cross Society from the EU for Irish Red Cross relief and developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16746/01]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

191 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the steps he is taking to ensure that staff of the Irish Red Cross Society enjoy equal conditions of employment, promotional opportunities and leave entitlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16747/01]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

192 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if all outstanding claims for upgrading of staff of the Irish Red Cross Society have been resolved; if the society employs a public relations officer; if so, the functions of that post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16748/01]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

193 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if the Irish Red Cross Society has adopted and implemented Strategy 2010, the programme of development laid down by the International Red Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16749/01]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

194 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the number of Irish Red Cross overseas delegates serving with the International Red Cross; if they are funded from the grant provided by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16750/01]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

195 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Irish Red Cross Society who are members of first aid units; the number of branches of the society and their distribution; the number of first aid units and their distribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16751/01]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

197 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the specific events which have been organised by the Irish Red Cross Society to mark 2001 as the International Year of the Volunteer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16753/01]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

198 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if the Irish Red Cross Society has a youth section or a programme of activity designed to train and involve young people in all aspects of the society's work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16754/01]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

199 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence his views on the findings and recommendations of the recently published strategic plan for the Irish Red Cross Society; if he has satisfied himself that the plan deals adequately with the areas of industrial relations and accountability provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16755/01]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 to 195, inclusive, and 197 to 199, inclusive, together.

I have no function in the administration of the Irish Red Cross Society. I do not get involved in the day to day running of its affairs. The society is an autonomous body with full powers to manage and administer its affairs through its governing body, the central council. I am also mindful that a fundamental principle of the International Red Cross is that all Red Cross and Red Crescent societies enjoy freedom from political involvement worldwide. My Department, as in the past, is available to provide help and assistance to the society as and when requested.

My Department administers a grant-in-aid to the Irish Red Cross Society, which this year amounts to £609,000. The grant-in-aid mainly covers the salaries of 14 permanent staff in the headquarters of the society and salary and related expenses for a staff member on full-time secondment to the Directorate for Asylum Seekers Services, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It also includes the State's annual contribution of £100,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva. The grant-in-aid does not apply to overseas delegates serving with the International Red Cross.

Under the strategic plan recently adopted by the society, I understand that all matters relating to the structure and governance of the society will be addressed and should any legislative changes be required I will bring forward appropriate legislation. The strategy objectives set out in Strategy 2010 as outlined by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is a matter for the Irish Red Cross Society.

The Irish Red Cross Society has, I understand, appointed a national communications officer whose functions encompass that of a public relations officer. The duties of any official of the society are primarily a matter for that organisation.
Question No. 196 answered with Question No. 187.
Questions Nos. 197 to 199 inclusive answered with Question No. 190.
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