Mr. Noel Waters, Director General, Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service has taken on the duties of Acting Secretary General in my Department.
In common with most appointments to the post of Secretary General, this recruitment process is being independently managed by the Top Level Appointments Committee, in accordance with established procedures.
Following the independent review of the performance, management and administration of the Department (the Toland Report), a comprehensive Programme for Change has been initiated. This includes a series of consultations with staff and agencies and development of a draft implementation plan. Considerable progress has already been made, in particular, in terms of engagement with staff. However, the key role in acting on the conclusions and recommendations in the report, and leading the fundamental changes envisaged, will fall to the new Secretary General. It will be appreciated, therefore, that the implementation plan, which I intend to publish, cannot be finalised until the new Secretary General is in place.