THE IRISH Red Cross says it is working with the Government to introduce legislation which will allow for bringing in modern internal governance policies “without delay”.
In a statement, Tony Lawlor, acting chairman, noted the rules under which the Irish Red Cross operates have been in place since 1938.
The body’s central council would be replaced with a general assembly which would possess the power to appoint a chairperson.
There would be a reduction in the number of government appointees to that assembly.
The Government is required to appoint at least one-third of the membership and has the power to appoint the chairman.
Other changes include a reduction in the size of the board of directors and in the method by which representatives are voted on to the general assembly and the board, as well as the length and terms of office for the board of directors.
Mr Lawlor praised the contribution of all government appointees to the organisation’s central council, and those subsequently elected to the executive committee.
However, there was “a need to meet the current governance requirements of the International Red Cross movement and to amend the governance structures of the Irish Red Cross to reflect the demands of the 21st century”.