Dr. Mark Clinton:

On the advisory council, in many ways it would make life a lot simpler if, as I said earlier, there was an equivalent to an Coimisinéir Teanga. They will not be running in saying that they found half of a fulacht fiadh, that it should be a national monument and that the road should be stopped. There are exceptional discoveries as was saidvis-à-visLismullin - we are rehearsing the whole thing again - where it arose. As my colleague, Mr. Lumley, said, if that henge was found on the top of Tara Hill it would have been hailed and glorified as another aspect of the Tara complex. It was actually in an interesting position. Through the sagas, we know there was a processional route from the Hill of Skryne down to the valley and up to the tomb complex on the Hill of Tara, much of which cusps on the relevant brow overlooking the valley. What would one expect to find in the valley but a ritual temple site? This was an astonishing discovery and could have been reconstructed easily. It was in a natural dell. Seriously large post holes were found where the beams could have been recreated. If one is looking for parallels, it was covered by the current legislation to renovate and restore it, as per the words of the Act. It could have been done just as was done in Knowth. If one visits Knowth today, one will see a reconstructed wooden henge dating to the late Neolithic period, going by the grooved ware. The Lismullin henge site should have been preserved, renovated, reconstructed and the road should have been moved. Unfortunately, the then Minister, John Gormley, did not get to make that call.

I should not be quoting him but the point is that should have been preserved. That is what is needed. If we do not want the advisory council, we could have a coimisinéir dúchais to deal with the heritage of exceptional sites. We cannot tell people, to use the words of many a judge I have heard, not to bring a vexatious case and to be serious lest they will be quickly dismissed by a commissioner. Imagine approaching the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and saying you needed to register a complaint. You would be shown the door very quickly if you complained about your call not being answered in ten seconds. The advisory council will comprise serious people who will not welcome their time being wasted. There should be a bit of respect for the potential members of this potential advisory council.