Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 9 May 2018

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs

Governance and Child Protection Policy: Scouting Ireland

4:10 pm

Photo of Anne RabbitteAnne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for their presentations. The Chairman asked so many questions that only a few remain. The delegation was due to appear before the joint committee a few weeks ago when I had some questions prepared.

I shall address questions first to Mr. Elliott. When will the audit of all historical abuse allegations take place? Why has there been a delay in undertaking the audit or review? Who will undertake the audit or review?

This question is for Mr. Burbridge, since it is in its historical files, why does Scouting Ireland not refer these allegations and the files to Tusla? It is charged with looking at historical and retrospective cases. From what I can gather, those files are in a sealed dungeon somewhere and, every now and again, the witnesses prod into them, have a look at them and come back out. I have learned, with historical cases and retrospective cases, that people like that repeat and reoffend. If there is somebody hidden in there that we are not aware of, he or she might not be a member of Scouting or Ireland or be participating, but could pose a risk to other children.

Are the witnesses aware of anyone against whom an allegation has been made previously who continues to work within the organisation or volunteers in Scouting Ireland? Do the witnesses accept that, without completing this audit, there may be young members of the scouts who, today, may be at potential risk of abuse? The delay in undertaking the audit is unacceptable. I find it hard to believe that a conversation has been going on for 24 months. On child protection, I was a member of the scouts as a chairperson and friend of my scouting group in Galway. I was very proud. All my children were scouts. I understand the rigour of what is expected at a grassroots level. I cannot understand why we have a problem at a higher level. Will somebody explain to me where the governance fell down on the basic issue where we have 40,000 children involved? Someone mentioned Garda vetting. To me, Garda vetting is what the general public needs to be reassured of the fundamentals of any form of governance where children are involved. It might not throw up everything but it is a barometer of measurement that we are doing our job right. I have many questions and would appreciate the answers.

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