Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 September 2012
337. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Defence his views on the report of the Public Accounts Committee on the Irish Red Cross of May 2012; his further views on the recommendations made in this report and if he is satisfied with the progress made by him and by the Irish Red Cross in implementing these recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40469/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the fact that arising from the Chapter on Financial Control in the Irish Red Cross Society that was contained in the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General 2010, the Oireachtas Committee of Public Accounts (PAC) subsequently dealt in some considerable depth with a wide range of issues relating to weak financial controls in the past and allegations of poor corporate governance. Each of the five recommendations made in the Committee’s subsequent Report that relate to the Department of Defence were carefully examined and noted by my Department. I am satisfied that despite an extremely difficult period in its recent history, there is clearly a strong process of reform now well under way at the Irish Red Cross Society and I welcome the very considerable progress that it has made in implementing new financial and accounting procedures, and in overhauling its corporate governance arrangements.
