MAC Minutes 2020

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

Monday 6th January 2020

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, John Shaw, Andrew Munro, Teresa Doolan.

Apologies: Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Helen Blake.

Also in attendance: Dermot Woods.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Northern Ireland and progress on restoration of the Institutions;
• Brexit matters;
• The Department’s priorities in January;
• Quarterly staff meeting next week; and
• Leadership Development Programme.

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

• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan

Personnel Officer

Wednesday 15th January 2020

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

Also in attendance: Dermot Woods.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and expressed appreciation to all the staff involved.
• Brexit matters;
• Dissolution of the Dáil yesterday;
• Preparations for the visit later today of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen;
• Appointment of a Chair to the Commission on the Future of Irish Public Service Broadcasting;
• 2020 Business Planning to be completed by 31st January 2020;
• Quarterly staff meeting later this morning;
• Annual obligations under the Ethics in Public Office Acts;
• Roll-out of new Build-to-share Intranet; and
• Leadership Development Programme.

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

• Staff assignments.

Teresa Doolan

Personnel Officer

Monday 3rd February 2020

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

Also in attendance: Dermot Woods.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Brexit matters;
• Visit of European Commission Chief Negotiator on Brexit, Michel Barnier, last week;
• The Department’s end December 2019 Vote Position;
• The Department’s annual PMDS process is now underway;
• 2020 Business Planning to be completed by this Thursday;
• Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) Programme;
• European Commission Erasmus for Officials Programme 2020;
• Senior Leadership Development Programme; and
• Post-election preparations.

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

• Staff assignments;
• Transition Year students, including a number of students from the North East Inner City, undertaking work experience in the Department this week.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Monday 10 February 2020

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

Also in attendance: Dermot Woods.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Post-election issues;
• EU matters including publication of the European Commission’s draft negotiating mandate for Brexit and the forthcoming European Council meeting regarding the multiannual financial framework next week;
• Visit of the British Permanent Secretaries this week;
• Department’s annual PMDS process is now underway and the next PMDS information session is taking place this Friday; and
• Feedback survey on the Senior Leadership Development Programme circulated to participants.

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

• Staff assignments.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Monday 17th February 2020

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

Apologies: Helen Blake.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Post-election issues, including government formation, and preparations for the 33rd Dáil which will convene for the first time on Thursday;
• EU matters, including the forthcoming European Council meeting regarding the multiannual financial framework on Thursday, and progress on the finalisation of the EU’s negotiating mandate for Brexit;
• The Department’s end of January vote position;
• PMDS and encouraged all staff to complete their end-of-year reviews by Friday, 28 February; and
• The Senior Leadership Development Programme and encouraged participants to complete the feedback survey.

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

• Staff assignments.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Monday 24th February 2020

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

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Post-election issues, including government formation, and next week’s Government meeting;
• EU matters, including last week’s European Council meeting regarding the multiannual financial framework, and the forthcoming General Affairs Council which will discuss the next steps in the EU-UK relationship;
• The Department’s annual PMDS process and request that all staff complete their end-of-year reviews by Friday, 28 February;
• The Department’s participation in the Bucerius Summer School on Global Governance 2020; and
• Implementation of the Department’s Resource Efficiency Action Plan.

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

• Staff assignments.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Monday 2nd March 2020

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

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Post-election issues, including ongoing bilateral meetings between political parties, and the resumption of Dáil Éireann on Thursday 5th March 2020;
• EU matters, including the commencement of formal negotiations of the future relationship between the UK and the EU;
• Update on the whole of Government response to the Coronavirus;
• Northern Ireland;
• Preparations for the royal visit this week including security measures;
• Preparations for the Taoiseach’s upcoming visit to the United States;
• The Department’s annual PMDS and LEADS process;
• Seachtain na Gaeilge which runs from 1st-17th March 2020; and
• Preparations for the Quarterly Staff meeting on Monday 9th March

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Monday 9th March 2020

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

Also in attendance: Dermot Woods.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• COVID-19 including, preparations for upcoming meetings of Cabinet Committee on the Coronavirus and the National Security Committee this week;
• Business Continuity Planning; and
• Quarterly staff meeting later this morning.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues, including:

• Staff assignments;
• Call for expressions of interest in the Autumn 2020 National Experts in Professional Training (NEPT) Programme circulated to staff last week.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Monday 11th May 2020

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

Also in attendance: Dermot Woods

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Update on the whole-of-Government response to COVID-19, and the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business;
• Ongoing talks on Government formation;
• Developments at EU level, including measures to combat the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Germany’s EU Presidency which begins on 1 July 2020;
• Brexit matters, including North-South issues;
• Preparations for the upcoming meeting of the Legislative Committee this week; and
• Preparations for upcoming staff meetings via videoconference, including a meeting of the Secretary General with Principal Officers tomorrow 12th May 2020 and with all staff on Wednesday 20th May 2020.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues, including:

• Acknowledging the strong contribution of staff across the Department, including those working at home, to the cumulative effort over the past two months;
• Working from home will continue for many and further supports and training will be required to help staff adjust over the coming period;
• Staff assignments.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Tuesday 2nd June 2020

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

Also in attendance: Dermot Woods

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Update on the whole-of-Government response to COVID-19, and preparations for the next phase of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business;
• Update to Government last week on Brexit;
• Developments at EU level, including preparations for the upcoming European Council Meeting on 19th June 2020;
• Ireland’s campaign for a seat on the United Nations Security Council which will conclude in late June 2020;
• North-South relations;
• Ongoing talks on Government formation;
• The Department’s end April 2020 vote position;
• The Department’s Children First Act 2015 Annual Compliance Report;
• Preparations underway for the Civil Service Employee Engagement Survey 2020 which will take place in September; and
• Preparations for upcoming staff meetings via videoconference next week, including a meeting with Principal Officers, and a subsequent meeting with all staff.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Wednesday 17th June 2020

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

Also in attendance: Dermot Woods

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Update on the whole-of-Government response to COVID-19, and preparations for the next phase of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business;
• Brexit matters;
• Future Government formation and recent publication of a draft Programme for Government;
• The Department’s end May 2020 vote position;
• The Department’s Revised Estimates 2020;
• The upcoming Departmental Council meeting on Monday 22 June 2020;
• Implementation of the Return to Work Safely Protocol, including updating the Department’s Safety Statement; and
• The Employee Return to Work Safely Induction training to be undertaken by staff.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing and accommodation issues.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Friday 3rd July 2020

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, Elizabeth Canavan, Eamonn Molloy, Helen Blake, Andrew Munro, Denis Breen, Stephanie Harris.

Apologies: John Shaw

Also in attendance: Dermot Woods

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Appointment of a new Taoiseach and the new Government, and associated administrative arrangements;
• Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for European Affairs appointed to this Department;
• The establishment of the Office of the Tánaiste;
• The establishment of the Office of the Green Party Leader;
• Meeting of the Cabinet Committee on COVID-19 today;
• Brexit matters, including Northern Ireland;
• The Department’s Revised Estimates 2020 before the Dáil next Tuesday;
• Preparations for the first meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment;
• The Government’s July jobs stimulus package to be launched later this month;
• Preparations for the upcoming European Council meeting on 17th July 2020;
• Establishment of the remaining Cabinet Committees over the coming weeks; and
• Secretary General meeting with Principal Officers via videoconference later today.

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

• Staff assignments.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Thursday 9th July 2020

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

Also in attendance: Dermot Woods

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• First meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment which took place yesterday;
• The Department’s Revised Estimates 2020 which were presented to the Dáil on Tuesday;
• Brexit and Northern Ireland matters, including planned visit by the Taoiseach to Northern Ireland next week and planning for a North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meeting;
• Preparations for the Taoiseach’s attendance at the European Council meeting on 17th July 2020;
• The Department’s mid-year review PMDS process is now underway supported by a HR information session for staff next Tuesday;
• Accommodation matters, including steps underway to secure additional staff accommodation in Dublin Castle;
• Taoiseach’s Oral PQs recommence next Tuesday 14th; and
• Secretary General meeting with staff via videoconference later this morning.

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

• Staff assignments.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Tuesday 28th July 2020

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Helen Blake, Andrew Munro, Denis Breen, Stephanie Harris.

Apologies: Eamonn Molloy

Also in attendance: Dermot Woods

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Update on the whole-of-Government response to COVID-19;
• Update from last week’s European Council meeting;
• Northern Ireland matters, including preparations for the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meeting on Friday, 31st July 2020;
• Publication of the Government’s July Jobs Stimulus;
• Preparations for four Cabinet Committees meeting this week, on Health, on Housing, on the Environment and Climate Change, and on Social Affairs and Equality;
• Brexit matters, including national preparedness;
• Finalisation of the Department’s Annual Report 2019;
• The Department’s end June 2020 vote position;
• Competitions are underway to fill three Private Secretary posts;
• PMDS and encouraged all staff to complete their mid-year reviews by Friday, 31 July 2020; and
• Secretary General meeting with staff via videoconference tomorrow, 29th July 2020.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues, including the planned reassignment of responsibilities at Assistant Secretary level, and noted the following:

• Staff assignments.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Tuesday 1st September 2020

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Helen Blake, Andrew Munro, Dermot Woods, Aingeal O’ Donoghue, Denis Breen.

Apologies: Stephanie Harris

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Update on the whole-of-Government response to COVID-19;
• Brexit matters, including contingency planning;
• Update on Economic Recovery planning;
• Department’s consideration for 2021 Estimates provision;
• Accommodation issues.

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

• Staff assignments.

Denis Breen

Head of Corporate Affairs

Tuesday 8th September 2020

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Helen Blake, Andrew Munro, Dermot Woods, Aingeal O’Donoghue, Denis Breen, Stephanie Harris.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Update on the whole-of-Government response to COVID-19;
• Brexit Matters, including publication this week of a new national readiness plan;
• Update on the establishment of the Shared Island Unit;
• Social Dialogue, including recent meetings with ICTU and IBEC;
• Preparations for the upcoming EU Council meeting later this month;
• The third Civil Service Employee Engagement Survey which will go live from 14th – 25th September and encouraged all staff to take part in the Survey;
• The Department’s end July 2020 vote position;
• The 2020 Civil Service Excellence and Innovation Recognition Event on 26 November 2020; and
• Secretary General meeting with staff via videoconference scheduled for Thursday, 10th September 2020.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing and accommodation issues.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Monday 21st September 2020

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Helen Blake, Andrew Munro, Dermot Woods, Denis Breen, Stephanie Harris.

Apologies: Aingeal O’Donoghue

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Update on the whole-of-Government response to COVID-19, including publication of the Government’s framework for living with COVID-19;
• Update on Brexit and this week’s European Council meeting;
• Preparations for the upcoming Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment;
• The third Civil Service Employee Engagement Survey and encouraged all staff to take part in the Survey if they have not already done so;
• The Department’s end August 2020 vote position; and
• Preparations for a review of the Department’s implementation of the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing and accommodation issues including:

• Given the level 3 restrictive measures in place for Dublin, staff should continue to work from home unless absolutely necessary to attend the workplace; and
• Call for expressions of interest in the Spring 2021 National Experts in Professional Training (NEPT) Programme circulated to staff.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Monday 28th September 2020

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Andrew Munro, Dermot Woods, Aingeal O’Donoghue, Denis Breen, Stephanie Harris.

Apologies: Helen Blake

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Update on the whole-of-Government response to COVID-19;
• Preparations for a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Housing later today;
• Update on Brexit;
• Preparations for this week’s European Council meeting;
• Preparations for the establishment of the Future of Media Commission;
• Extension of Civil Service Employee Engagement Survey until 2nd October 2020; and
• Plans to offer the flu vaccine to all staff in the coming weeks.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues, including finalisation of the below reassignment of responsibilities at Principal Officer level to take effect by 5th October:

• Staff assignments.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Monday 5th October 2020

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Helen Blake, Andrew Munro, Dermot Woods, Aingeal O’Donoghue, Denis Breen, Stephanie Harris.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Update on the whole-of-Government response to COVID-19;
• Economic matters, including the impact of COVID-19;
• Preparations for an upcoming meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Environment and Climate Change;
• Brexit matters;
• EU matters, including an update from last week’s European Council meeting;
• Update on the work of the Shared Island Unit;
• Update to members of the MAC on GDPR/data protection in the Department;
• Preparations for a meeting of Departmental Council later today; and
• Noted the 2019 Annual Report of the Audit Committee of the Department.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing and accommodation issues, including:

• Staff assignments.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Monday 12th October 2020

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Helen Blake, Andrew Munro, Dermot Woods, Denis Breen, Stephanie Harris.

Apologies: Aingeal O’Donoghue

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Update on the whole-of-Government response to COVID-19;
• Budget 2021;
• Preparations for the upcoming European Council meeting later this week;
• Brexit matters, including preparedness;
• The SPS and PO Executive Leadership Programmes; and
• Preparations for Secretary General meeting with staff via videoconference on Wednesday, 14th October 2020 at 11am.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing and accommodation issues, including:

• Staff assignments.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Monday 2nd November 2020

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Helen Blake, Andrew Munro, Dermot Woods, Aingeal O’Donoghue, Denis Breen, Stephanie Harris.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Update on the whole-of-Government response to COVID-19;
• Preparations for a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Equality later today;
• The Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality which has recently reconvened remotely;
• The first meeting of the Future of Media Commission;
• Northern Ireland, including the Taoiseach’s formal launch of the Shared Island Initiative and preparations for a meeting of the British-Irish Council on Friday;
• Economic matters, including an update from last week’s meeting of the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF) and preparations for a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Investment and Economic Recovery later this week;
• Update from last week’s European Council meeting;
• Brexit matters;
• Update on the work of the National Security Analysis Centre;
• Work underway on the next Departmental Strategy Statement;
• The Department’s end September 2020 Vote Position; and
• The SPS and PO Executive Leadership Programmes.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing and accommodation issues, including:

• Given the level 5 restrictive measures in place, staff should continue to work from home unless absolutely necessary to attend the workplace;
• Staff assignments.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Monday 9th November 2020

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Helen Blake, Andrew Munro, Dermot Woods, Aingeal O’Donoghue, Denis Breen, Stephanie Harris.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Update on the whole-of-Government response to COVID-19;
• Preparations for a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Environment and Climate Change later today;
• Northern Ireland, including the Taoiseach’s attendance at Sunday’s Annual Remembrance Day ceremonies in Enniskillen;
• Preparations for an upcoming meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Health; and
• EU and Brexit matters, including preparedness.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues, including:

• Internal competition for promotion to Higher Executive Officer to be advertised shortly; and
• Staff assignments.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Monday 16th November 2020

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Helen Blake, Andrew Munro, Dermot Woods, Aingeal O’Donoghue, Denis Breen, Stephanie Harris.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Update on the whole-of-Government response to COVID-19;
• Brexit matters;
• Preparations for a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Housing later today;
• Preparations for the upcoming European Council meeting on Thursday;
• The Department’s end October 2020 Vote Position;
• Participation by Sharon Finegan and Padraig Ó Conaill in the PO Executive Leadership Programme; and
• Preparations for Secretary General meeting with staff via videoconference on Wednesday, 18th November 2020 at 11am.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues, including:

• Staff assignments.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Monday 30th November 2020

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Helen Blake, Andrew Munro, Dermot Woods, Aingeal O’Donoghue, Denis Breen, Stephanie Harris.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Update on Brexit matters;
• Economic Matters, including work on the draft National Economic Plan;
• Preparations for a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment on Thursday;
• Whole-of-Government response to COVID-19, including the Taoiseach’s announcement on special measures for a safe Christmas;
• North-South matters, including the first Shared Island Dialogue which took place last week; and
• Preparations for a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Equality later today.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues, including:

• Given the restrictive measures in place, staff should continue to work from home unless absolutely necessary to attend the workplace;
• Plans to shortly undertake a homeworking risk assessment checklist with all staff who work are currently working from home on a full/part-time basis;
• Internal competition for Assistant Private Secretary to the Taoiseach to be advertised shortly;
• Staff assignments.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Monday 7th December 2020

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Helen Blake, Dermot Woods, Aingeal O’Donoghue, Denis Breen, Stephanie Harris.

Apologies: Andrew Munro

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Update on Brexit matters, including work on Brexit readiness;
• Economic matters, including the latest position on the preparation of the National Economic Plan;
• Preparations for a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Environment and Climate Change later today;
• Update on the whole-of-Government response to COVID-19, including the High-Level Task Force on Covid-19 Vaccination;
• Preparations for this week’s European Council meeting;
• Ongoing public service pay talks;
• North-South issues, including preparations for the upcoming meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council; and
• Participation in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform-commissioned review of the hierarchical grading structure of the Irish Civil Service.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues, including:

• Given the restrictive measures in place, staff should continue to work from home unless absolutely necessary to attend the workplace;
• Staff assignments.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Monday 14th December 2020

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, John Shaw, Elizabeth Canavan, Helen Blake, Andrew Munro, Dermot Woods, Aingeal O’Donoghue, Denis Breen, Stephanie Harris.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Update on the whole-of-Government response to COVID-19, including work on the vaccination strategy and implementation plan;
• Update on Brexit matters, including work on Brexit readiness and communications;
• Preparations for a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Health later today;
• Update from last week’s European Council meeting;
• Economic matters;
• New public service agreement finalised;
• North-South issues, including preparations for the upcoming meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council; and
• Secretary General meeting with staff via videoconference on Wednesday 16th December 2020.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues, including:

• Given the restrictive measures in place, staff should continue to work from home unless absolutely necessary to attend the workplace;
• Staff assignments.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer

Monday 21st December 2020

Present: Martin Fraser, John Callinan, John Shaw, Helen Blake, Andrew Munro, Dermot Woods, Aingeal O’Donoghue, Stephanie Harris.

Apologies: Elizabeth Canavan, Denis Breen.

MAC discussed a number of issues, including:

• Update on Brexit matters, including work on Brexit readiness;
• Update on the whole-of-Government response to COVID-19, including preparations for a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on COVID-19 later today; and
• The Department’s end November 2020 Vote Position.

MAC also discussed a number of staffing issues, including:

• Given the restrictive measures in place, staff should continue to work from home unless absolutely necessary to attend the workplace; and
• Staff assignments.

MAC also expressed appreciation to all staff for their hard work and dedication throughout the year.

Stephanie Harris

Personnel Officer