Joan Freeman (Independent)
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I know how difficult Tusla's work is but it is obviously important we question the agency as well as Scouting Ireland. I know Tusla will have the helpline evaluated. In its letter of 18 February, it stated how it was a significant conflict of interest. I do not agree with Tusla. The most important people to answer that helpline are Scouting Ireland. They are the people who understand scouting much more than Tusla or the Garda.

Although it is important that they are very much involved, of course, they must be supervised because of the information they receive which needs to be passed on to Tusla management.

I get a different tone on this issue from the Tusla representatives today than at the last meeting of the committee, or in the letter, for example. The letter was very serious, critical and straight to the point. Why is the tone now different? Why did the Minister believe she had to read the letter in the Dáil? Was she advised to do so? There are a couple of issues mentioned in the letter on which Scouting Ireland stated it had no information and which had not been discussed. Why were such issues included in the letter before Tusla had discussed them with Scouting Ireland? To me, it seems that Tusla had to cover itself by putting together a very strict and difficult letter that was going to be made public. What happened in that regard? Why is the tone of the Tusla representatives so different today? Tusla and Scouting Ireland seem to be delighted with each other now. Is that the case?