Opposition Politicians Clash With Minister in Dail Over Irish Red Cross

On the 20th January a lengthy verbal exchange took place between the Minister for Defence, Willie O'Dea and opposition politicians, Fine Gael Spokesperson on Defence, Jimmy Deenihan and Labour Party spokesperson on Defence, Brian O'Shea. The subject under discussion was the continuing governance and leadership crisis at the Irish Red Cross. Both Mr. Deenihan and Mr. O'Shea questioned the Minister on his unwillingness to intervene in the crisis, a crisis which is now bringing embarrassment on the Irish Red Cross internationally. It is a sad indictment on the Irish Red Cross when its problems are discussed on record in the national parliament of the country but unfortunately it reflects the reality and seriousness of the situation. Hard working staff and volunteers up and down the country continue to put in long hours responding to the recent floods and Haiti crises. Thankfully the trust and confidence of the Irish public in the Red Cross would appear to remain unaffected by the ongoing problems at the top of the organisation. The board and senior leadership of the Irish Red Cross have failed the staff and volunteers and their raw ambition to retain power regardless of the consequences is now becoming a national and international embarrassment.

The full text of the exchange in the Dail can be read by clicking on the link below:


http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=DAL20100120.xml&Node=H8-4#H8-4