Management Board of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Management Board is an advisory and decision-making forum that supports the Secretary General in the management of the Department. The Board is chaired by the Secretary General, Joe Hackett, and membership comprises both Deputy Secretary Generals, Assistant Secretaries based in Ireland, and an officer at the Counsellor grade.

The Board assists the Secretary General in the formulation and management of policies and programmes as well as in the development and improved performance of the organisation. The Board also decides on assignments within the Department, at home and abroad, other than at Assistant Secretary and Head of Mission levels.

The Board meets fortnightly, or more frequently as required. Other Departmental officials attend Management Board meetings periodically to brief and participate in discussions on topical developments in their areas of responsibility.

The Management Board also meets periodically with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department's Ministers of State to consider strategic policy and management issues.

The current members of the Board are:

• Mr. Joe Hackett, Secretary General
• Mr. John Conlan, Deputy Secretary General, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
• Ms. Sonja Hyland, Deputy Secretary General (Global Issues) and Director General, Ireland, UK and America's Division
• Mr. Gerard Keown, Political Director, Political Division
• Ms. Maeve von Heynitz, Director General, European Union Division
• Mr. Michael Gaffey, Director General, Development Cooperation and Africa Division
• Mr. Colm Hayes, Director General, Global Ireland and Economic Division
• Ms. Síle Maguire, Director General, Human Resources Division & Corporate Services Division
• Ms. Fiona Penollar, Director General, Citizen Services Division
• Mr. Declan Smyth, Legal Advisor, Legal Division‌‌
• Ms. Emer Rocke, Director, Strategy Governance and Change Unit