Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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161. To ask the Minister for Finance the policy regarding the need for note taking when Ministers and-or Ministers of State meet business and other leaders; the way in which this policy is outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46491/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I can inform the Deputy that it would be normal practice for a Department official to accompany the Minister and/or Minister of State at meetings with business and other leaders.

My Department's 'Record Management Guidelines' provides that all formal meetings should be properly documented or minuted. The Department's internal 'Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 Policy' document provides that in line with best practice, a record or minute of meetings with external bodies should be recorded.

In the case of significant informal meetings, the 'Record Management Guidelines' provide that officials should document informal meetings and telephone conversations in cases where this may demonstrate the rationale behind decisions, to note a request or an approval, or to record where significant policy or administrative decisions are being relayed.