Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Neville will be followed by Senator Warfield, Deputy Lisa Chambers, Deputy Rabbitte, Senator Freeman, Deputy Sherlock, Deputy Mitchell and me. Before I ask Deputy Neville to open the questioning, as Chairman of the committee and an ordinary Member of the Oireachtas, I wish to make it clear that Scouting Ireland is an invaluable organisation and acknowledge the significant steps it has taken in the past 12 months or so under the watchful eye of the general public. I note the invaluable work of Mr. Elliott, Dr. Lawlor, Mr. Tennant and his predecessor and the many others who have put so much time and effort into bringing Scouting Ireland out of the crisis in which it has found itself. t is fair to call it a crisis. It should be acknowledged that Scouting Ireland is an extraordinarily invaluable organisation across all strands of life in this country, not only for people who are able-bodied but also for individuals who are not so able-bodied. I acknowledge that very few organisations in the State offer the level of engagement it offers to people with particular needs, special or otherwise. In the light of the transformational change it is going through, it is appropriate for me to say that yesterday when I was chatting to a former scout leader from Cork, the way in which volunteers had dealt with issues that can be alarming for ordinary members, particularly those which have ended up on the front pages of newspapers, was acknowledged. I am sure my colleagues, like me, come across ordinary members when knocking on doors and chatting to people. They always have questions. It is important for me to say I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that volunteers from the local den to the board offer their services in an effort to improve Scouting Ireland as an organisation and the lives of children throughout the country.

I ask Deputy Neville to commence the questioning of Scouting Ireland.