Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Business Committee for agreeing to schedule the resumption of this debate.

The issues arising from the scouting movement are emblematic of Irish society's failure of our children in the distant and not so distant past. Similar issues in many sectors of society have too often come to light. The victims in each case have real experiences and have had to suffer in silence for far too long the scars inflicted upon them by those experiences. Failing our children is not, and never can be, acceptable. The victims deserve to have their voices and stories heard, while those responsible must be held to account. The protection of our children is of paramount importance. The legacy issues which have come to light in respect of scouting in Ireland have undermined public confidence in the scouting movement.

The report into historic abuses is expected to be completed in February. It will be important in terms of ensuring attention is drawn to all aspects of historic abuse and sending the message that the culture of silence which permeated the scouting movement in respect of these abuses will no longer be tolerated. Without acknowledging the evidence of cover-ups, we cannot fully address the abuses that took place. It is a sad indictment of our society that anyone would contemplate trying to cover up abuses which occurred. Such actions are wholly disrespectful to the victims.

Representatives of Scouting Ireland who appeared last week before the Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs, which I chair, provided an update regarding the files held by the Scouting Ireland safeguarding team. As of March of this year, Scouting Ireland held 995 files, including historic files from the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland and the Scouting Association of Ireland, as well as Scouting Ireland files from 2003 until January of this year. I acknowledge that many of the files are not related to cases of sexual abuse, but the number of files held is significant. Some 457 of the 995 files are classified as containing abuse and, of them, 401 relate to sexual abuse involving 247 alleged perpetrators. Those figures were provided to the committee following its meeting last week. I note that Scouting Ireland stated the number of files is not equivalent to the number of abuse cases. Scouting Ireland stated all abuse cases have been reported to the relevant authorities, but the sheer volume of files relating to sexual abuse is astounding and shameful. It is shameful that abuse, particularly sexual abuse, could happen in one case, let alone the number identified in the files held by the Scouting Ireland safeguarding team.

The cases relating to abuse and sexual abuse of children have called the future of the scouting movement in Ireland into question. Many parents are concerned about allowing their children to become part of the scouting movement. Action must be taken by Scouting Ireland to fully address these concerns. As a parent, this conversation has taken place within my family, as is the case for many families throughout the country. Scouting Ireland has recognised the damage caused by these revelations, as well as the more recent evidence of a cover-up outlined by its consultant, Mr. Ian Elliott, at a meeting of the committee some weeks ago. Another report consisting of a barrister's opinion regarding certain aspects of the scouting operation in recent years is due to be published and may provide an opportunity to restore public confidence in the organisation and how it is currently operating. However, once confidence is lost, it is not easily rebuilt. The challenges facing Scouting Ireland in this regard are significant and the concerns parents and guardians may hold are fully understandable. Scouting groups are well embedded in local communities and those involved are well known and trusted. However, the safeguarding issues may be a cause of concern parents and guardians worried without it being a reflection on the great work of the many people working at grassroots within the organisation.

There has been discussion on the establishment of a statutory inquiry into allegations of historic child sexual abuse within legacy scouting organisations. Such an investigation would be warranted. However, it is important that we allow the internal investigation within Scouting Ireland to be completed and made available to the Minister and the committee for consideration, as Scouting Ireland has committed. I hope that in February or March we will collectively be in a position to make a recommendation to the Department on whether the committee believes a statutory inquiry would be appropriate, notwithstanding the position of any political party or Independent. That is the appropriate course of action for the committee, given the significant work it has put into the issue. I wish to acknowledge the Minister picking up on my statement at last week's committee meeting that, after Tusla, Scouting Ireland has consumed the largest portion of the committee's time over the past year or so. That has been acknowledged by other committee members. I commend and appreciate their support in getting through the business of the committee relating to Scouting Ireland.

Nothing can right the wrongs suffered by victims of child sexual abuse, but we must do all we can to ensure accountability and that victims are listened to as well as heard. I am aware that those who contact the Scouting Ireland helpline are offered counselling.

Indeed, it has also been brought to my attention that individuals who were not subject to abuse at the hands of those in the scouting movement in the past have also been offered counselling and support from Scouting Ireland. That should be put into the public domain. We must ensure that victims know that supports are available to them and that they receive every assistance to help them address the trauma they experienced.

Our society has a shameful past when it comes to historical sexual abuse allegations, not just in legacy scouting organisations but also, unfortunately, across a number of sectors. In the past we have failed children and young people and today we must do everything we can to address that wrong. As legislators, we can never do anything to undo the wrongs of the past, but we must do all in our power to support victims. We cannot sweep those injustices under the rug. We must address them head on and work collectively in both Houses to ensure they are never repeated in the future.

I wish to record my appreciation of the willingness of not just the scouting movement to appear before us but also of the volunteers throughout the country who have been in touch with all Members, on multiple occasions in many instances. The hierarchy of Scouting Ireland has changed, but it has appeared before the committee on a number of occasions. I appreciate the structural changes it has made on foot of the recommendations and the Minister's announcement that the former Senator, Jillian van Turnhout, will return to assess Scouting Ireland in respect of the previous recommendations she made. That is warranted. Given the public awareness of this issue, it is something we must follow up.

It is a pity the Minister could not be present, but given the lateness of the hour and the fact that the debate was rescheduled, perhaps she thought it would be dealt with tomorrow. It is important that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs continues to press Scouting Ireland and Mr. Elliott to make this report on historical abuse cases available as quickly as possible so recommendations can flow from it in terms of what we can learn from it and what we can do to ensure such abuse does not recur in the future. If any supports are not being provided, we can identify them through that report. I hope it will be published well in advance of the next general election and certainly by the end of February, which is the commitment.

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