11th anniversary of staff call for an independent investigation into the Irish Red Cross

Today, 23rd November 2010, marks the eleventh anniversary since that momentous day back in 1999 when nine permanent Irish Red Cross employees courageously went on Irish national television (RTE) and called on the Irish Government to immediately launch an independent enquiry into the running of the organisation.

The Irish Red Cross had a much smaller head office than it does today so nine staff constituted most of the permanent employees. The brave nine staff, who had reached the end of their patience with the organisation’s controlling board members, were interviewed on RTE TV by one of Ireland’s best known and most respected investigative journalists, Charlie Bird. The staff were supported in their action by at least one member serving in a governance position.

The staff made it clear that their unprecedented action was taken for one reason and one reason only, to protect the integrity of the Society. The people in charge of the Irish Red Cross back in 1999 are still the same people dominating the organisation today. It is deeply saddening that the crisis of 1999 did not lead to real change or reform but rather the empty promises that were made remain unfulfilled. As a direct result the Irish Red Cross remains in permanent crisis and will do so until fundamental restructuring of its governance takes place and a completely new leadership installed.

So on this day, 23rd November 2010, this Blog would like to acknowledge the true bravery, daring and courage of those nine Irish Red Cross staff and the individuals who supported them in their bold stand against incompetence, power and misgovernance. They will forever be able to hold their heads high.

The full text of the RTE news article (on its web) which followed the RTE TV appearance is below:

Irish Red Cross staff calls on government to set up inquiry

23rd November 1999

The Secretary General of the Red Cross, Paul Lynch, has responded to today's call by its staff for an independent investigation into the running of the charity. In a statement, Mr Lynch said that the Irish Red Cross Society, with the assistance of an outside consultant, is nearing the completion of a strategic review. He said that the review's implementation would necessarily involve change for volunteers and staff.

However, a spokesperson for the workforce said that they did not believe the review was truly independent. The representative said that the investigation staff would need to look at the overall structures of the organisation, starting at the very top.

Most of the permanent staff of the Irish Red Cross have called on the Government to set up an inquiry into the running of the organisation. In an exclusive interview with RTÉ News, the staff members of what is regarded as one of the most prestigious charities in the country, say that they are taking this step in an effort to protect the integrity of the organisation. They also want the 1939 Act, which set up the Red Cross, amended to bring it into line with modern practices.

The Irish Red Cross is almost 60-years-old, but today morale at its headquarters, at Merrion Square in Dublin, is at an all time low according to the majority of those who work there. Last night, in an unprecedented public revolt, nine of the staff came together for RTÉ News to call on the Government to set up an investigation into the running of the charity.

The Red Cross, whose patron is the President of Ireland, comes under the aegis of the Department of Defence. Last year, it received over £500,000 from the state. It also collects millions of pounds every year for disaster relief. The staff is not claiming any impropriety in the handling of donations, but they say that on occasions, there has been a 'slowness' in sending out funds specifically collected for emergency relief.

In the last two years, the organisation has lost almost half of its senior staff, including its Secretary General, the public relations officer, a youth director and a fund-raiser and a clerical officer. In October of this year, the sacking of the financial controller led to calls for his reinstatement from the majority of the staff. A case is now being taken against the charity for unfair dismissal.

Staff also claim that deep divisions have emerged between the permanent staff and the executive over the running of the organisation. The staff says that the only way to solve the long running difficulties is an independent inquiry, which they say should also involve the International Red Cross.
ENDS

The link for the article is:

http://www.rte.ie/news/1999/1123/redcross.html


It is not the critic who matters; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is no effort without error and shortcomings; but he who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat-Theodore Roosevelt, 26th American President