Dr. John Lawlor:

Scouting Ireland is not closed to the idea of a public inquiry. In fact, Scouting Ireland has been open to co-operating with statutory agencies in both jurisdictions, North and South, since its foundation. To refer to this jurisdiction, both Tusla and An Garda Síochána have powers of investigation. It is the responsibility of Scouting Ireland to report, and we do that. Both agencies in this jurisdiction, to stick to the Republic of Ireland, have had access to our files since the inception of Scouting Ireland. An Garda Síochána has utilised these files in the context of investigations since the beginning of Scouting Ireland. It is not the case that Scouting Ireland is opposed to a public inquiry. That is a matter for Government. We have worked very hard to secure the confidence of the statutory agencies, the Department and the Minister. The Deputy will know from the previous time we were before the committee, in March, that Tusla said that no organisation had been subject to the same level of scrutiny as Scouting Ireland. That is true and we welcome it. We are open to scrutiny. We have no issue with it. We have made our files available and made them accessible to statutory agencies. That has been the history of the organisation since its foundation and that co-operation will continue.