Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2015
623. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 679 and 680 of 16 December 2014, the number of meetings between the Minister-Minister of State and MAC for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013; if her special advisers attend MAC meetings on her behalf; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2455/15]
View answerMy Department's Secretary General, three Assistant Secretaries, Director of Irish, Head of Finance and Head of HR/Corporate Governance comprise the membership of my Department's Management Advisory Committee (MAC). The MAC is chaired by the Secretary General and meets regularly, as required.
My Department was established on 2 June 2011 and I am advised that its MAC met with the then Minister and Minister of State 4 times that year, 8 times during 2012 and 7 times in 2013. I understand that the Minister was accompanied by a special advisor at the majority of those meetings.
It has not been the practice in my Department for special advisors to attend MAC meetings in the absence of the Minister.
