Mr. Michael Parsons:

I thank the Chairman and I thank the committee for inviting me here today in my capacity as chairman designate of the Heritage Council. The committee is well aware of the work of the Heritage Council since its establishment on a statutory basis in 1995. The committee recently had a discussion with the CEO of the Heritage Council on its ongoing work. I submitted an opening statement, which deals with my career in education and my involvement in community and social activities. My involvement in heritage stretches back over 40 years. I first joined Laois Heritage Society shortly after its formation in 1975, and since the late 1970s I have acted in various roles in promoting heritage in Laois, including being chairman, vice chairman and president of the society. Since 2012, I have been a board member of the Heritage Council. In December 2016, I was appointed acting chairman of the council by my fellow members and I have acted in that role since then. I was nominated by the Minister as chairman of the Heritage Council at the end of June 2017.

I will develop some points I made in my submission on the approach I wish to take in my role as chairman of the Heritage Council. I see it as intrinsic to the role of chairman that leadership is collegial and co-operative, that the board and executive work closely together to attain objectives, and that our dealings with each other and our network of organisations, including county heritage officers, is supportive, open and transparent. It is vital the Heritage Council nurtures relationships with other organisations and bodies, including local and central government and all of the organisations, committees and individuals throughout the country that are vital to preserving and promoting our heritage.

The Heritage Council's draft strategic plan will shortly go out to consultation. Next year, the council is to lead the Irish section of the European year of cultural heritage. It is vital we nurture a sense of belonging in all the people who live here. I suggest Brexit may well cause us to re-examine and reaffirm our identity. Our identity is attained by asking of ourselves who we are, and then asking the further question who do others think we are. It is vital for us to re-examine and reaffirm our sense of where we live and who we are.

A vital part of the work of the Heritage Council is working with communities, and this is facilitated by our grant system and through our county heritage officers. The council has had vibrant engagement with schools at primary level for a number of years and it is my firm intention to extend this to secondary schools, particularly with imaginative projects involving individuals and class groups. Various groups are linked with and assisted by the council, including the Landmark Trust, the discovery programme and the national biodiversity programme. Part of the role of the council is to give advice and support to the Government on heritage-related topics. To further this, closer working links should be fostered with the Arts Council and other cultural bodies. Our arts, culture and heritage are the soul of the nation and working together is the way forward.