Mr. John Lawlor:

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus le Baill an choiste. Ar son Gasóga na hÉireann, táimid buíoch as ucht an deis labhairt os comhair an choiste inniu. Many thanks for the opportunity to address the committee today. This is our first time to come before an Oireachtas committee. It is an important occasion for us today. Ócáid tábhachtach stairiúil atá ann. We see this as a milestone for Scouting Ireland and a recognition of the opportunities scouting provides for young people in all age groups throughout the island.

Scouting is a collaborative effort and therefore I will introduce our team. On my left is our chief scout and president of our organisation, Christy McCann. Our operations manager is Noel O'Connor. Our research officer is Dubheasa Kelly. Our rover scout is Ciara Keegan. Our adult volunteer is Ray Moran.

We hope to clearly convey a sense of who we are, our position within the youth sector and within education and of how we can develop further over the coming years. Our chief scout, Mr. Christy McCann, will speak briefly about scouting in a general context. He will outline a clearer picture of what we do. I will then outline our structures and strategic aims for the future with the help of my colleagues Ms Kelly and Mr. O'Connor.

The committee will then hear from our youth members who will convey a real-life context of what scouting means and has meant to them. With your indulgence, a Chathaoirligh, I will hand over to our chief scout, Christy McCann.