Bord Failte executives are to meet today to decide on a successor to Mr Noel Toolan, the company's high-flying international marketing director, who is leaving the organisation.

It is understood that the board members will consider a number of candidates and then bring forward a recommendation. The front-runner to replace Mr Toolan is expected to be Ms Orla Brannagan. Aged 31, and said to be highly-regarded by several board members, she is Bord Failte's general manager for Europe. She also spent some time in CERT, the training agency for the hotel and catering industry.

Other contenders are said to include Mr Chris Kane, the company's corporate affairs and communications manager, and Ms Margaret Cahill, the general manager for Britain.

Mr Toolan announced his resignation last month. He has given six months notice, but he may be retained on a consultancy basis.

Some sources suggested last night that Mr Toolan's responsibilities may be redistributed, but that his main role would be given to Ms Brannagan.

It is understood that board members are anxious to put Mr Toolan's replacement in place before it announces its marketing plans for next year. These plans are usually unveiled around November.

Bord Failte has a large marketing budget, in excess of £30 million. Around £25 million is spent marketing Ireland as a tourist destination.

Mr Toolan had 2 1/2 years left to run on his contract and his resignation came just days after Dr McDaid, the Minister for Tourism, approved a new £100,000 logo which reintroduced the shamrock, making it more prominent in the marketing.

Mr Toolan was the architect of Tourism Brand Ireland, one of the first tourism marketing concepts to try to brand a country.