Ms Liz McManus:

I thank the joint committee for giving us an opportunity to have this useful discussion. Ms Mbugua referred to people working together, which is the essence of UN Security Council Resolution 1325. We are referring here to Government Departments and, hopefully, the Department of Education and Skills may be part of the next plan. In addition, civil society organisations should be involved. We are all learning because it is a relatively new phenomenon for us, but an essential one.

What has happened today is one of the indications that we can take a certain pride in the fact that Ireland has led the way in regard to preparing a national action plan which is both outwards and inwards looking. We have included civil society organisations and are setting up a consultative group now, the chairman of which is with us. We are taking the idea of people working together very seriously.

It is worth mentioning a point which is of some concern to me, which is that our national plan can only have very limited impact in Northern Ireland. The UK national action plan, however, does not recognise Northern Ireland as an area where there was conflict. It is something we must maintain an awareness of in the future national plan.

With regard to the specific area of women coming here, there is work to be done. We all recognise that. There has been an honesty here about what needs to be done in regard to the future. I am very hopeful.

It is a great idea to invite the people who prepare the next national action plan to come back if at all possible because it is an ongoing process. We very much appreciate the committee's time.