About us
Governance & Constitution
First Friend Ireland is governed by a constitution — a memorandum and articles of association — registered with the Companies Registration Office once incorporation is complete.
Registration is in progress
| Fact | Status |
|---|---|
| Company type | Company Limited by Guarantee (not having a share capital) |
| Company number | Pending — To be allocated by the Companies Registration Office (CRO) on incorporation. |
| Date of incorporation | Pending |
| Registered office | Pending — Draft constitution lists a registered office; confirm before publishing publicly. |
| Charities Regulator number | Pending |
| Revenue charitable tax exemption | Pending |
How we're governed
The constitution, in plain language
This page summarises the key governance provisions of First Friend Ireland's draft constitution. It is a readable guide, not a substitute for the legal document itself.
What kind of organisation is First Friend Ireland?
A company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital, registered (once incorporation completes) under Part 18 of the Companies Act 2014. Members' liability is limited to a maximum of €1 in the event of winding up — no member owns shares or receives profit.
Who can become a member?
Membership is open to any individual aged 16 or over, and to any corporate or unincorporated association that supports First Friend Ireland's objects, subject to approval by the directors. The directors may set membership categories and conditions.
How is the board structured?
The constitution requires at least two directors, all aged 18 or over. Directors serve three-year terms and are eligible for re-election at the AGM. The founding chairperson is recognised in the constitution and may continue as a director after stepping down from the chair, subject to the constitution and applicable law.
How do local chapters fit in?
Directors may establish local chapters in any county or area of Ireland, appoint chapter coordinators or committees, and issue guidelines they must follow. A chapter has no separate legal identity — it cannot sign contracts, hold funds, or bind the company except as expressly authorised in writing by the directors. See Find Your Local Chapter for current status.
What happens to income and property?
All income and property must be applied solely to First Friend Ireland's objects. No director may be paid a salary or fee, or receive remuneration or personal benefit from the company, beyond narrow, specific exceptions set out in the constitution (for example, reasonable expenses or fair-market payments for services genuinely rendered).
What happens if the company is wound up?
Any remaining assets after debts are settled cannot be distributed to members. They must go to another organisation with similar objects, chosen by the members, or — where First Friend Ireland is registered with the Charities Regulator — with that regulator's agreement, or otherwise as directed by the High Court.
How are accounts and transparency handled?
Directors must keep proper accounting records and prepare annual financial statements for the AGM, in line with the Companies Act 2014. First Friend Ireland may use the audit exemption available to companies limited by guarantee where the statutory conditions are met.
About the full constitution document
The full constitution names First Friend Ireland's founding directors and, in its current draft form, includes their personal residential addresses for company-law purposes. To protect that personal information, we have not published the full document on this page. A version suitable for public publication — with personal addresses removed — will be made available here once the organisation confirms it. In the meantime, the full constitution can be requested directly at info@firstfriendireland.ie.