Irish Red Cross (thru Dept of Defence)

The Irish Red Cross was formally established in 1939 under the terms of the Red Cross Act 1938, Statutory Instrument 206/139. The Society’s constitution was initially based on this statutory instrument and includes amendments for the Geneva Conventions of 1949, their additional Protocols of 1977 and 2005 (the Geneva Conventions) to which Ireland is a party, together with Acts of the Oireachtas and relevant provisions of the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies. The Society’s constitution was further amended in 2012 by internally ratified changes.

The mission of the Irish Red Cross is to provide care to the most vulnerable at home and abroad in peace, crisis and disaster.

The work of the Irish Red Cross includes emergency response, health and social care and building resilience at community level.

The Irish Red Cross General assembly consists of approximately 30 people and the Board is made up of 14 members.  The Government may nominate three members to the Irish Red Cross General Assembly.

Further information on the Irish Red Cross is available at www.redcross.ie