Mr. Jim Gibson:

The correspondence and the tone thereof are reflective of the legislation and the requirement for the Child and Family Agency to respond to the organisation in a specific manner when there are concerns about compliance. We are duty bound to lay out those concerns, as we did in comprehensive correspondence, to which there is a formal tone. That tone is needed to communicate key messages about concerns and issues that arose. However, the letter was solely intended for the CEO of Scouting Ireland and his management team whom we expected to revert to us and formally address the issues raised. The sole role of Tusla's Children First information and advice officers is to work with community and voluntary organisations to help them to achieve compliance. Another unit mentioned in the opening statement looks at compliance in the context of safeguarding statements. A safeguarding statement represents a position of intent. Underneath it may be the policies and procedures required to dictate good practice.

I am delighted that the tone has changed in working alongside Scouting Ireland. It is the tone that is set by Tusla at this juncture in dealing with any organisation in which there are concerns. We do not get business done by having a dogfight; rather, we do so by finding common ground and being collaborative and supportive. We have demonstrated and specifically stated to Scouting Ireland and the media that we value Scouting Ireland and want to assist and support it to be compliant. We are in a good space with it. It is clear that the agenda for the meeting on 7 March was set to create an opportunity to have an open discussion behind closed doors between Scouting Ireland and Tusla on the issues and concerns which had been raised. There are differences of opinion, but we have agreed an action plan to satisfy Tusla, Scouting Ireland, the volunteers, the Government and everyone else with an interest in this matter that we are on the right road. Scouting Ireland has demonstrated a collaborative and partnership approach in its achievements since the historical abuse that was uncovered retrospectively. There are some current issues. As chief operations officer, I am satisfied that we are in a good place, talking to one another, have good engagement and will resolve issues.

The letter was communicated in the context of other information we had on Scouting Ireland that heightened our awareness and capacity to communicate. However, any organisation with similar deficits or concerns would receive such correspondence. To some extent, it comes back to Tusla and the reasons for its establishment - we are damned if we do and damned if we do not. The letter was sent to the CEO of Scouting Ireland. The intention was that we would meet Scouting Ireland to get the business done. As a State agency, we are not involved in trying to undermine Scouting Ireland.