The Irish Red Cross Society is an autonomous charitable body with full powers to manage and administer its affairs through its governing body, the Central Council. I have no function in the day to day administration of the Irish Red Cross and, as such, I do not get involved in the day to day running of its affairs.
A range of issues relating to the governance, organisational structures, and electoral arrangements of the society are currently the subject of consideration by a governance committee within the society. That committee is expected to report to the executive committee and the Central Council before the end of this year.
The contents of the report will be subject to discussion between the Departments of Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs and Defence and the Irish Red Cross Society and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.