Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 3

Written Answers. - Red Cross Conference.

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

106 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence the outcome of the most recent international Red Cross conference held in Geneva at which he was represented; the contribution made on behalf of the Government to the conference and the results of the conference relevant to the work of the Red Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31474/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The 13th session of the General Assembly of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies took place in Geneva from Wednesday, 7 November to Saturday 10 November.

Discussions included global public health issues with particular emphasis on HIV/AIDS, emphasis on the role of volunteers in building an effective human and financial resource base and public co-operation and partnerships between national societies and their Governments. This year's statutory meetings did not include an international conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at which Government nominees attend. The Irish Red Cross Society was represented by the acting secretary general and a senior official from my Department who is a Government nominee to the central council of the society.

The 27th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies took place in Geneva from 31 October 1999 to 6 November 1999. The conference is the supreme body of the Red Cross and normally meets every four years. The next meeting is due to be held in 2003.

The Government was represented at the 27th conference and general assembly by the permanent representative of Ireland to the United Nations in Geneva and by a senior official of my Department who is a Government nominee on the central council to the Irish Red Cross Society. The Chairman and the Secretary general of the Irish Red Cross, at the time, also attended.