Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 212: To ask the Minister for Defence if his Department has a management advisory committee or an equivalent management committee; if it meets regularly; and if so, the frequency of same; if he and the Ministers of State attached to his Department attend the meetings; if a special advisor or advisors attached to the Ministerial Office or offices attend such meetings; if the minutes are circulated subsequent to each meeting with an indication as to the action to be taken by whom and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32977/07]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for Defence if he convenes specific policy meetings with officials in his Department; the way a policy meeting with officials is different to that of a management meeting, such as a management advisory committee meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32991/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 213 together.

The Management Advisory Committee (MAC) of my Department comprises the Secretary General, the Department's two Assistant Secretaries and the Head of Corporate Services. Other officers of the Department attend meetings for particular agenda items e.g. the Human Resources Manager attends when H.R. issues are under discussion. Subject to the availability of personnel, the MAC normally meets once a week. Minutes of the meetings are kept and appropriate follow-up action taken.

Whilst it is not the practice for myself or Minister of State Kitt or any Ministerial advisors to regularly attend MAC meetings, I have regular meetings and contact with the Secretary General and the other MAC members as part of the on-going business of the Department. I regularly meet with officials of my Department to discuss a wide variety of specific policy issues.