19 Ean 2012, 10:00
The Chairman and Secretary General of the Irish Red Cross will give evidence to the Committee of Public Accounts today at 10am in Committee Room 1, Leinster House arising from ongoing concern in relation to corporate governance and financial management at the Irish Red Cross.
The key issues to be dealt with by the Committee include:
changes to governing structures which have been the subject of ongoing criticism and which has led to resignations of members of the governing council;
financial controls in light of the fact that a large sum collected in 2005 under the Tsunami appeal was found in 2008 in an undisclosed account controlled by the Tipperary Branch;
the use of funds collected through appeals and the allegation that some funds are diverted to meet expenses amassed by the Irish Red Cross.
Vice Chairman of the Committee, Kieran O Donnell TD has welcomed to decision by the Irish Red Cross to attend the Public Accounts Committee.
Deputy O’Donnell said: “The Irish Red Cross is a charity that has generated enormous goodwill among the Irish public and it is important that steps are taken to assure the public that many of the issues that have been in the media over the past number of years are being addressed and resolved.
This is a unique opportunity for the Irish Red Cross to give direct evidence to the Oireachtas because the ongoing controversies not only damage the image of the Red Cross but do a great disservice to the volunteers who do great work in the community under the aegis of the Red Cross.”
Ends
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Committee of Public Accounts
Membership
John McGuinness (Chairman)
Kieran O’Donnell (Vice Chairman)
Paul J Connaughton,
John Deasy,
Paschal Donohoe,
Anne Ferris,
Simon Harris,
Michael McCarthy,
Mary Lou McDonald,
Sean Fleming,
Eoghan Murphy,
Derek Nolan,
Shane Ross