Mr. Pat Smyth:

I will answer that. Mr. Jim Gibson, our head of operations, and Ms Linda Creamer are both social workers. I shall ask them to assist with some of the answers by providing their view, as professionals, on some of the matters.

At a high level, the demands the public have placed on all organisations regarding child protection are extremely high in Ireland. We are certainly at the top in terms of the demand, at least. I accept it is difficult for Tusla and other organisations to put in place measures that are constantly sufficient to meet that. That is the demand we have been set.

With regard to the engagement with Scouting Ireland, the matters raised are in the context of social workers and practice experts knowing there are other issues. The engagement initially was retrospective engagement on abuse cases. Looking at the current cases was a normal process to determine whether current referrals are meeting the standards required. It was in that context that the letter was issued. I am satisfied that our approach was the right one in that case.