Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I think the Senator has asked very helpful questions. People may come forward who need support and my understanding is that there are policies and procedures and supports for victims who come forward in the organisation. It is important to take a look at that again and to review it.

As the Senator is aware, we have been very focused on the governance of the organisation. I asked Ms van Turnhout to examine Scouting Ireland and make recommendations. The recommendations have been strongly made. The board has put in place an implementation plan. One of the key aspects of the recommendations is the resignation of the last board and the appointment of a new board based on the skills and competencies of board members and the 95% agreement of the whole organisation to follow through on the implementation of those recommendations with new leadership in the context of governance. Those actions come as a result of the work of my Department to ensure that we are moving forward into a different area. It is a very difficult time for the organisation. There are a lot of things that need to be done. There are more ways in which they will need to respond in light of the information I have just shared. I will be discussing these issues with the chief executive and the board as a matter of urgency.