Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 December 2010
54 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which he intends to revise the proposals of the internal group of the Irish Red Cross in regard to the governance of that organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47263/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra58 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Defence his proposals regarding the governance of the Irish Red Cross; if these new proposals have been approved by the International Red Cross at the recent meeting of the chairman and acting secretary general of the Irish Red Cross in Geneva; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47256/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra60 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the proposals for the amendments to the Irish Red Cross Society Order 1939; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47361/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra72 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Defence his plans to introduce revised proposals regarding the length of time that persons may serve on the executive of the Irish Red Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47264/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 58, 60 and 72 together.
Proposals for reform of the governance of the Irish Red Cross Society arise from a resolution that was passed in November 2007 by the Council of Delegates of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) which urged all National Societies to examine and update their Statutes — the rules of the National Societies — and related legal texts by 2010, in accordance with the "Guidance for National Society Statutes" and relevant International Conference resolutions. This task is being undertaken by many Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world. The current proposals have the support of the IFRC.
A Working Group to propose changes in governance, including those recommended by the International Federation, was established by the Irish Red Cross Society in 2008. The Chairman of the Working Group presented the findings to the Central Council of the Irish Red Cross Society at a meeting held in November 2009. The Working Group's report was later submitted to the Department of Defence earlier this year.
In order to implement the recommendations made in the Working Group's report, significant amendments to the existing Red Cross legislation, including the Irish Red Cross Society Order 1939, will be required. Representatives of the Society and officials from the Department of Defence have had a number of meetings this year to discuss the specific changes required. A draft Irish Red Cross (Amendment) Order 2010, which would substantially amend the 1939 Order, has been drawn up and was recently referred to the Office of the Attorney General.
The proposed changes address issues relating to "higher level" areas of corporate governance such as, organisational structures, electoral arrangements and membership. The main areas for consideration are:
1. Appointment of Chair
2. Appointments to Central Council
3. Proposed changes to the terms of office, rotation and election of members to the Executive Committee
4. Clarification of the role of the President of the Society
5. The establishment of an external (independent) appeals mechanism as well as an Arbitration Committee
As recently as last week, further proposals were received by the Department of Defence from the Irish Red Cross Society. These further proposals are being examined and further discussions with the Society, and with the Office of the Attorney General on the draft Amendment Order, will take place shortly.
When the consultative process has been concluded, I propose to present the amendments to the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Women's Rights for its consideration prior to seeking Government approval to change the legislation.
Apart from the legislative changes that are being progressed, a new Chairman, Mr David J O'Callaghan, was recently appointed by the President. Mr. O'Callaghan is a former Secretary General of the Department of Defence and has vast experience of public administration at senior management level.
Since his appointment in September 2010 the new Chairman has put improved governance of the Society's affairs at the top of his agenda. The Society has already implemented procedures to avoid a recurrence of the events that led to the recently completed investigation into the delay by the Tipperary Branch of the Society in forwarding funds, raised during the Asian Tsunami appeal, from the Branch account to Headquarters. Furthermore, I understand that the Society is well advanced in introducing strengthened new financial procedures. I understand from the Society that the recommendations in the report will also be implemented as a matter of urgency. I am fully confident that the new Chairman will expedite the reform process that is underway in the Society which, I understand, also involves the drafting of a new Constitution.
As part of the ongoing process of change that is being advanced within the Irish Red Cross, I am aware that the new Chairman and the Acting Secretary General of the Society met with senior officials of the International Federation in Geneva last week to apprise them of the proposed legislative changes. I have been informed that the International Federation have indicated that they would welcome an opportunity to contribute to the final stages of the proposed legislative changes and I would be happy to facilitate them in this regard.
