Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 247: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government 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. [32980/07]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 248: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government 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. [32994/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Question Nos. 247 and 248 together.

My Department has a Management Advisory Committee, consisting of the Secretary General and six Assistant Secretaries, which meets on a weekly basis. My Special Adviser attends these meetings for agenda items dealing with weekly Government and Oireachtas business and Ministerial diary priorities. The Ministers of State, the Special Advisers and I meet with the Management Advisory Committee generally once a month at which management and policy issues are discussed. Minutes of both meetings are prepared and circulated.

I also meet with the relevant officials in my Department, as required, to discuss business and policy related matters.