Dr. Marie Bourke:

We are thrilled to have been invited to appear before the committee and to have had the opportunity to speak to it. I was not sure whether we were going to have the opportunity to mention the fact our esteemed chief executive officer will be stepping down at the beginning of January. I am very glad it has been mentioned because it is his legacy that will carry the Heritage Council through to its next phase. It is a moment to pay due regard and respect to that legacy.

I will end on one point. Heritage Ireland 2030 is the new Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht heritage plan. It works very closely with and complements the Heritage Council's plan. One of the things the Department has just initiated is an open public consultation. It is a very good time to alert people in one's own area to be vigilant to that consultation. It is very keen to involve as many people as possible in expressing their views and opinions about what can be done for Irish heritage. It is a really good way to get everybody to articulate their thoughts. I do not know if it has organised exactly where and when but it would be worth watching the website to see where and when the public consultations are organised so members of the committee can be there and can encourage their colleagues to express their views on things such as the Bord na Móna site which definitely should be marked by some very creative, innovative centre or whatever the appropriate thing is.

I thank Mr. Starrett for his work. His legacy has shaped and will shape the council into the future. It is only fair to say we will be welcoming the new chief executive officer next year when we know who that person is.