MAC Minutes 2018

See previous years' Management Board Minutes for the Department of the Taoiseach.

Monday, 9 January 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Eamonn Molloy, Elizabeth Canavan, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Mary Keenan, Teresa Doolan.

Also in attendance: John Concannon

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• The finalisation of the Department's revised Strategy Statement 2017 - 2020;
• 2018 Business Planning process to be completed by 31 January 2018;
• The Department's end December 2017 Vote position;
• The Financial Management Shared Service Project;
• A range of other policy initiatives for delivery in 2018, including

- the abortion referendum;

- the political situation in Northern Ireland;

- the Taoiseach's upcoming visit to Davos;

- the publication of the NDP/NPF (Project 2040);

- the next phase of Brexit negotiations;

- ongoing issues and reforms in the health and justice sectors;

- the Taoiseach's upcoming visit to the US and especially the meeting with President Trump;

- pensions policy;

- ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

- waiting lists (in the short term);

- housing;

- climate change;

- economic risks.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday, 22 January 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Eamonn Molloy, Elizabeth Canavan, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Mary Keenan.

Apologies: Teresa Doolan.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Developments in Northern Ireland;
• Developments in the EU, including on Brexit;
• The National Planning Framework / National Development Plan;
• Review of outcomes from Cabinet Committees G and A, and preparations for upcoming Cabinet Committee meetings;
• Preparations for the MAC / Principal Officer meeting scheduled for later that day;
• 2018 Business Planning Process (to be completed by end January 2018).

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues.

Mary Keenan, Head of Corporate Affairs

Monday, 29 January 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Helen Blake, Mary Keenan, Teresa Doolan.

Also in attendance: John Concannon

Apologies: Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• The Taoiseach's visit to Davos last week;
• Developments in Northern Ireland;
• Developments in the EU, including on Brexit;
• The 8th Amendment;
• The National Development Plan;
• Reform in the Justice Sector;
• Seanad Reform and the Taoiseach's address to the Seanad later this week;
• Preparations for upcoming meetings of Cabinet Committees D (Infrastructure) and C (European Union including Brexit);
• The Department's Strategy Statement;
• 2018 Business Planning Process (to be completed by Wednesday 31st January 2018);
• Performance Management (PMDS and LEADS).

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday, 19 February 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Helen Blake, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Mary Keenan, Teresa Doolan.

Also in attendance: John Concannon

Apologies: John Callinan, Philip Hamell.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Developments in Northern Ireland;
• Developments in the EU, including on Brexit;
• The National Development Plan and National Planning Framework (Project Ireland 2040);
• The proposed Referendum on the 8th Amendment;
• Pensions Road Map;
• Reform in the Justice Sector;
• Reform in the Health Sector;
• The upcoming meeting of the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF);
• The Department's end January Vote position;
• Divisional Business Plans;
• Performance Management (PMDS and LEADS).

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday, 26 February 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Mary Keenan, Teresa Doolan.

Also in attendance: John Concannon

Apologies: Philip Hamell.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Developments in the EU, including on Brexit;
• The proposed Referendum on the 8th Amendment;
• Pensions Road Map;
• Meeting of the National Emergency Coordination Group that morning;
• Preparations for the Quarterly Staff Meeting later that day; and
• Performance Management (PMDS and LEADS).

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday, 5 March 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Mary Keenan, Teresa Doolan.

Also in attendance: John Concannon

Apologies: John Callinan, Philip Hamell.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Emergency Planning;
• Developments in the EU, including on Brexit;
• Developments in Northern Ireland;
• The proposed Referendum on the 8th Amendment;
• Reform in the Health Sector;
• Reform in the Justice Sector;
• Preparations for the Taoiseach's upcoming visit to the US; and
• Performance Management (PMDS and LEADS).

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday, 26 March 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Mary Keenan.

Apologies: Teresa Doolan.

Also in attendance: John Concannon

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Developments in the EU, including on Brexit, EU-Russia relations and the outcome of the recent meeting of the European Council;
• The proposed Referendum on the 8th Amendment;
• Justice issues;
• National Reform Programme;
• The Review of the Strategic Communications Unit;
• Preparations for the Commemoration to mark the Anniversary of the 1916 Rising;
• Preparations for the visit of Pope Francis to Ireland from 25-26 August for the World *Meeting of Families;
• Performance Management (PMDS and LEADS);
• The Department's participation in the IMI/30% Club Cross-Company Mentoring Programme;
• Preparations for the Taoiseach's appearance before the Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach;
• The Department's February 2018 Vote Position.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Mary Keenan, Head of Corporate Affairs

Monday, 9 April 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Mary Keenan, Teresa Doolan.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Preparations for the National Risk Assessment 2018 Seminar taking place on Thursday;
• Preparations for meeting of Cabinet Committee E (Health) later this week;
• Preparations for the visit of Pope Francis to Ireland from 25-26 August for the World Meeting of Families;
• The recently published results of the 2017 Civil Service Employee Engagement Survey which are positive for the civil service as a whole and for this Department;
• Compliance rate (98%) for 2017 Performance Management in this Department;
• Developments in the EU, including on Brexit;
• Developments in Northern Ireland.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

MAC extended condolences to the family and friends of Frank Murray R.I.P., former Secretary General to the Government (1993-2000) who passed away on 31st March.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday, 23 April 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Mary Keenan, Teresa Doolan.

Also in attendance: John Concannon

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Developments in the EU, including on Brexit;
• Justice Reform;
• Health Reform;
• The Department's end March Vote position;
• The 2018 Willing, Able and Mentoring (WAM) Programme;
• Performance Management.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Implementation of the new arrangements for the SCU and transition to a reformed Government Information Service;
• Responsibility for Justice Reform is being assigned to Elizabeth Canavan's Division;
• John Shaw's Division will give greater focus to the economic aspects of Brexit in the coming year;
• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday, 14 May 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Mary Keenan, Teresa Doolan.

Also in attendance: John Concannon

Apologies: John Callinan

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Developments in the EU, including on Brexit;
• The Department's end April Vote position;
• The Civil Service Excellence & Innovation Awards;
• The Department's preparations for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday, 21 May 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Mary Keenan, Teresa Doolan.

Also in attendance: John Concannon

Apologies: Andrew Munro, Helen Blake

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• The Global Footprint;
• Brexit;
• Forthcoming visit of the Belgian Prime Minister;
• Housing;
• Reform of the Health and Justice Sectors;
• Draft National Risk Assessment;
• Programme for a Partnership Government 2018 Annual Report which was approved by Government;
• Publication of the NESC Report - Urban Development Land, Housing and Infrastructure: Fixing Ireland's Broken System;
• The Department's preparations for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday, 28 May 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Mary Keenan, Teresa Doolan.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• The Global Footprint;
• Brexit;
• Reform of the Health and Justice Sectors;
• Launch of Project Ireland 2040 funds;
• Housing;
• Preparations for meeting of Cabinet Committee B (Social Policy and Public Services) this week;
• The recent meeting of Departmental Council.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday, 18 June 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Mary Keenan, Teresa Doolan.

Apologies: John Callinan

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Civil Service Employee Engagement Survey (CSEES) results for the Department;
• Proposed changes to access arrangements in Government Buildings;
• Preparations for meeting of Cabinet Committee C (European Union, including Brexit);
• Developments in Northern Ireland and preparations for the British Irish Council later this week;
• The Summer Economic Statement;
• Successful launch of Global Ireland - Ireland's Global Footprint to 2025;
• Training for Managers on the Underperformance Policy and Disciplinary Code;
• Roll-out of the Unified Government Identity;
• The Department's end May Vote position.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday, 25th June 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Mary Keenan, Teresa Doolan.

Also in attendance: John Concannon

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Brexit and the recent visit of the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, and the EU Chief Negotiator for Brexit, Michel Barnier;
• State Reception in Dublin Castle to mark the 25th anniversary of decriminalisation of homosexuality;
• State Ceremony in Dublin Castle to mark the 60th anniversary of Irish participation in the United Nations;
• Preparations for the visit of IMF Director, Christine Lagarde, later today;
• Developments in Northern Ireland;
• Preparations for the European Council later this week;
• 2017 Annual Report of the Department's Audit Committee; and
• The Civil Service Excellence & Innovation Awards.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday, 2nd July 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Teresa Doolan.

Apologies: John Callinan, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Mary Keenan

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Developments in the EU, including on Brexit;
• Developments in Northern Ireland;
• Justice Reform;
• Health Reform;
• The National Economic Dialogue 2018 held in Dublin

Castle last week; and

• Performance Management.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday, 9th July 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Helen Blake, Mary Keenan, Teresa Doolan.

Also in attendance: John Concannon

Apologies: Andrew Munro

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Brexit;
• National Day of Commemoration Ceremony in Collins

Barracks;

• Visit by the Chancellor of Austria, Sebastian Kurz;
• Taoiseach's visit to the US to launch Ireland's campaign for a seat on the UN Security Council 2021-2022;
• Preparations for the Papal visit in August;
• 2017 Annual Report of the Department;
• Annual Report of the Civil Service Management Board;
• National Digital Strategy;
• National Risk Assessment;
• Grand Canal Innovation District project;
• Citizens' Assembly;
• Justice Reform;
• Health Reform;
• Preparations for Cabinet Committee A (Economy); and
• Training for Managers on the Underperformance Policy and Disciplinary Code.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday, 16th July 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Mary Keenan.

Apologies: Teresa Doolan.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Priority issues for the second half of the year;
• Brexit;
• Developments in Northern Ireland;
• Justice Reform;
• Health Reform;
• Preparations for the Taoiseach's upcoming visits to Croatia, Romania and Italy;
• Preparations for the Papal visit in August;
• The Department's June 2018 Vote Position;
• The Principal Officer Executive Leadership Programme; and
• The Department's Refund of Fees Scheme.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Mary Keenan, Head of Corporate Affairs

Tuesday, 4th September 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Mary Keenan, Teresa Doolan.

MAC discussed priority issues for the Autumn, including:

• Brexit, including the latest position in the negotiations, national preparedness and contingency planning and potential organisational implications for the Department;
• Budget 2019;
• Northern Ireland;
• Justice & Policing Reform;
• Health Reform;
• Housing and Homelessness;
• Forthcoming Data Summit on 19th September, which is being organised by the Department; and
• Future Jobs Programme.

MAC also discussed a number of administrative issues including:

• The successful Papal visit in August and expressed appreciation to all staff of the Department for their work, in particular the staff of Protocol & General Division &

Government Information Service;

• Noted that the Citizens' Assembly has been nominated for the Civil Service Excellence & Innovation Awards;
• Noted participation by Fiona Curran and Ellen Stewart in the 2018 Young Ireland Programme;
• Roll-out of the Unified Government Identity; and
• The Department's end July 2018 Vote Position.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Tuesday, 11 September 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Mary Keenan, Teresa Doolan.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Brexit, including the latest position in the negotiations, national preparedness and contingency planning and potential organisational implications for the Department;
• Budget 2019;
• Northern Ireland;
• Justice & Policing Reform;
• The SPS and PO Executive Leadership Programmes; and
• The Department's end of August 2018 Vote Position.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Principal Officer reassignments;
• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday 8 October 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Teresa Doolan.

Apologies: Philip Hamell, Denis Breen.

****Also in attendance: Mary Keenan.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Brexit, including the latest position in the negotiations, national preparedness and contingency planning;
• Budget 2019;
• Housing and Homelessness;
• Northern Ireland;
• Health Reform;
• Justice & Policing Reform;
• Preparations for meeting of Cabinet Committee B (Social Policy and Public Services);
• Preparations for the Quarterly Staff meeting later that morning;
• The Department's end of September 2018 Vote Position;
• Training and Third level courses under the Refund of Fees Programme being undertaken by employees of the Department; and
• Services provided by Irish language contacts in the Department.

MAC noted:

• Participation by Helen Blake in the SPS Executive Leadership Programme; and
• Participation by Elizabeth McCullough and Mary Clare O'Sullivan in the PO Executive Leadership Programme.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday 15th October 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Teresa Doolan.

Apologies: Denis Breen.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Brexit, including the latest position in the negotiations, national preparedness and contingency planning;
• The National Broadband Plan;
• Housing and Homelessness;
• Northern Ireland;
• Health Reform;
• Justice & Policing Reform;
• Forthcoming training for Managers on the Underperformance Policy and Disciplinary Code;
• Participation in the Open House Festival 2018; and Staffing issues.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday 22nd October 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Denis Breen, Teresa Doolan.

Also in attendance: Stephanie Harris.

MAC also discussed a number of issues, including:

• Proposal for a Leadership Development Programme for senior management including Principal Officers;
• Participation by the Department in an upcoming pilot for a new online Learning Management System (LMS);
• Brexit, including the latest position in the negotiations, national preparedness and contingency planning;
• Northern Ireland;
• Preparations for upcoming meetings of Cabinet Committees A (Economy), B (Social Policy & Public Services), D (Infrastructure), E (Health) and G (Justice);
• Justice & Policing Reform; and
• Upcoming Public Consultation on the National Digital Strategy.

MAC also noted that the Citizens' Assembly has been shortlisted for the 2018 Civil Service Excellence and Innovation Awards.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday 5 November 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Denis Breen.

Apologies: Teresa Doolan.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Arrangements for Presidential Inauguration on Sunday November 11th;
• British Irish Council meeting taking place this Friday in the Isle of Man;
• Latest position on Brexit negotiations, national preparedness and contingency planning;
• Preparations for upcoming meetings of Cabinet Committees A (Economy), D (Infrastructure), and E (Health);
• Developments in Justice & Policing Reform;
• OECD Centres of Government Meeting taking place in Dublin this week;
• Annual review and update of information published under Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015;
• Recent European Commission visit as part of the EU Semester process.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Denis Breen, Head of Corporate Affairs

Monday 19 November 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Teresa Doolan.

Apologies: Elizabeth Canavan, Denis Breen.

MAC expressed appreciation to all staff involved with the successful organisation of the Presidential Inauguration and the OECD Centres of Government meeting.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Priorities for delivery before end of the year;
• Brexit;
• Northern Ireland;
• Preparations for upcoming meeting of Cabinet Committee E (Health);
• Preparations for the Future Jobs Summit which will take place on Thursday;
• Ongoing public consultation on the National Digital Strategy;
• Launch of the OneLearning new Learning Management System (LMS) Pilot;
• Training for managers on the Underperformance policy and the disciplinary code;
• End of October Vote position;
• Update on records management/data protection, including the annual transfer of 30-year-old Departmental records to the National Archives; and Staffing issues.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday 26 November 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Denis Breen, Teresa Doolan.

Apologies: Philip Hamell, Helen Blake.

Also in attendance: Paul Spring.

MAC congratulated the staff involved in the Citizens' Assembly on achievement of the World Class Service Award at the Civil Service Excellence and Innovation Awards.

MAC also expressed appreciation to all staff involved with the successful organisation of the Future Jobs Summit last week.

Paul Spring, Head of ICT, made a presentation to MAC on ICT projects currently underway and projects planned for 2019.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Priorities for delivery before end of the year;
• Latest on Brexit including the outcome of the recent European Council Meeting;
• Northern Ireland;
• Justice & Policing Reform;
• Update on OneLearning new Learning Management System (LMS) pilot and encouraged all staff to log-on to the system;
• Preparations for the Open Policy Forum on Regulation of Transparency of Online Political Advertising next week; and
• Finalisation of Rev 2019.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday 3 December 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, Philip Hamell, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Teresa Doolan.

Apologies: Denis Breen.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Priorities for delivery before end of the year;
• Brexit;
• Justice & Policing Reform and preparations for Cabinet Committee G (Justice) on 12th December;
• Update on the OneLearning new Learning Management System (LMS) pilot;
• Preparations for the Open Policy Forum on Regulation of Transparency of Online Political Advertising this week;
• Preparations for the Quarterly Staff meeting later in the week; and
• Staffing issues.

MAC expressed appreciation to Philip Hamell, Assistant Secretary and wished

him well on his retirement later in the week.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer

Monday 17 December 2018

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Andrew Munro, Helen Blake, Denis Breen, Teresa Doolan.

Also in attendance: Derek Tierney, Brexit Preparedness & Contingency Planning

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Pressures on public finances and the 2019 Revised Estimates;
• Brexit and last week's European Council meeting ;
• Justice & Policing Reform, including Government response to report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland to be agreed and published tomorrow;
• Update on the OneLearning Learning Management System (LMS) pilot ending shortly and feedback survey which will be circulated to staff for completion;
• Departmental Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday this week; and
• The Department's end November Vote position.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan, Personnel Officer