Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome members and viewers watching on Oireachtas TV to the public session of the Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs. The purpose of today's meeting is to engage with Scouting Ireland in regard to governance, how child protection policies in Scouting Ireland are implemented and related matters. The committee may also wish to explore matters such as the recent events that have resulted in reputational damage to Scouting Ireland, how it can reassure parents who have genuine concerns in respect of those events, the effect of the suspension of funding on Scouting Ireland, how the funding can be restored and what Scouting Ireland will do to achieve that.

I wish to advise members that although there have been media reports on the matter, it is important to note that the committee must not discuss individual cases or anything which is or is likely to be the subject of court proceedings and should avoid using individuals' names, whether those names are in the public domain or not. In that context, it is also important to note that it is possible to identify an individual by using his or her title. Members should also be aware that an investigation by Ms Lorna Lynch, BL, is currently under way into the actions of a number of senior volunteers in a case which is the subject of media attention. I ask that members take that into consideration when asking questions so as not to compromise the investigation. I also note that the entirety of the matter is being reviewed by an appointee of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome Dr. John Lawlor, chief executive officer of Scouting Ireland, Mr. Ian Elliot, independent safeguarding consultant, Mr. Martin Burbridge, honorary vice president of Scouting Ireland and team lead on this crisis management issue, and Mr. Kieran McCann, board member and provincial commissioner for the northern province. They are very welcome and I thank them for their attendance.

Before we commence, in accordance with procedure I am required to draw attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if a witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in regard to a particular matter and continues to do so, the witness is entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of his or her evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I remind members to switch off their mobile phones or turn it to flight mode as phones left on silent will interfere with the sound system and make it difficult for the parliamentary reporters to report the meeting and it can adversely affect broadcasting.

I thank Scouting Ireland for the provision of its opening statement which I now invite Mr. Burbridge to deliver. I will not be too strict on time. I have read the statement and estimate it will take approximately ten minutes to deliver.