The construction of our new Headquarters in Dun Laoghaire is complete, and 28 January 2008 marked a significant date in the Commissioners of Irish Lights' history when the move from 16 Lower Pembroke Street took place. We were honoured and charmed when President Mary McAleese performed the official opening on 22 February 2008 at a gathering of over 400 people in the workshops building on a fittingly windswept day. The sale of our Lower Pembroke Street office had been concluded in July 2007 and there was some sentimentality as it was handed over to the new owners on 31 January 2008. It had served us well for exactly 47 years.

The past year has seen considerable progress in developing the concept of e-Navigation, and the adoption and implementation of an e-Navigation strategy is now being considered by the International Maritime Organisation. Some of the platforms on which e-Navigation will be built are of particular relevance to the General Lighthouse Authorities: DGNSS, eLoran and the use of AIS as an aid to navigation.

Plans to support and implement the General Lighthouse Authorities' marine aids to navigation strategy known as 2020 the Vision have been prepared. Following the publication of the GLA Radio Navigation Plan in May 2007, a GLA Visual Aids to Navigation Plan, was published in February 2008. Revised Joint Navigational Requirements Policies were published as internet documents in December 2007.

Roll out of AIS as an aid to navigation on specific buoys and lighthouses has commenced. The contract for the recapitalisation of the GLAs' differential Global Positioning System, with a scheduled completion date of March 2010, has been placed. A trial eLoran station has been put into operation at Anthorn in Cumbria. Studies regarding the improvement of eLoran coverage on the west coast of Ireland are in progress. GPS jamming trials have demonstrated the vulnerability of GNSS and the need for a robust complementary system such as eLoran.

Replacement of the South Rock Lightfloat and the Arklow and Codling Lanbys with alternative marking schemes which include the use of superbuoys and AIS has been agreed. Innovative solutions utilising ,renewable energy sources, and new technology and materials continue to be used in lighthouse refurbishment projects.

ILV Granuaile continues to serve the needs of Irish Lights and is an essential part of the GLAs' fleet. A service level agreement with the Irish Coast Guard which includes the use of Granuaile in emergencies at sea has been concluded. We look forward to the introduction of the new generation Eurocopter 135 helicopter as a replacement for the Bolkow 105 in December 2008.

Increased efficiencies have resulted from the integration of employees on one site in Dun Laoghaire with consequential reductions in manpower and costs. The bright open plan offices, interlinked buildings, and especially The Galley restaurant with its excellent food, all provide an environment which encourages team building. Irish Lights has continued successfully to provide its services to mariners throughout 2008. I wish to thank the Board, management, and all our employees for their support and assistance during this significant year.

In particular I extend a warm welcome to our new chairman Mr John Kidney and wish him well in his term in office. I salute the work of our previous chairman Mr Frank Boland who guided our Service successfully through a period of considerable change.

I wish you and your family a happy Christmas and best wishes for 2009.

Stuart Ruttle,
Chief Executive.