Department of the Taoiseach Annual Report 2019 Department of the Taoiseach Annual Report 2019 Message from the Taoiseach I welcome the publication of this report which sets out the activities of the Taoiseach’s Department throughout 2019 in delivering on the Strategic Priorities in the Department’s Statement of Strategy. 2019 was a challenging year for Ireland and I would like to thank the staff in the Department for their continued expertise and commitment. This report only reflects a fraction of the work that transpires on a day-to-day basis but which plays a crucial role in supporting both the Taoiseach and the Government. I am honoured by my recent appointment as Taoiseach and I look forward to working with the staff of the Department as we go forward to tackle issues like Covid19, Brexit, and the recovery of our economy and society. Micheál Martin Taoiseach 2 Department of the Taoiseach Annual Report 2019 Introduction by the Secretary General This is the third and final Annual Report to be published under the Department of the Taoiseach’s Statement of Strategy 2017-2020 and reflects the work that was carried out the Department under each of its Strategic Priorities. Throughout 2019 the Department continued to support the Taoiseach and Government including through supporting Cabinet meetings, providing policy advice, implementing Government policy, organising State events and inward official visits, Parliamentary Questions, EU engagements, and facilitating the productive relationship between the Government and the Oireachtas. Brexit was a strong feature in the work of the Department and staff worked closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to co-ordinate the whole-of-Government effort on planning, programme management and communications on Brexit preparedness. This work is continuing in 2020 through the negotiations on the future relationship between the EU and the UK. Through the Cabinet Committee process and Senior Officials Groups, the Department contributed to developing and implementing policy across issues including the economy, infrastructure, the environment, health and Sláintecare, social inclusion, reform of public services, security, and EU matters. As well as an increased role for the Department in the area of climate action and policing reform, other key areas where the Department contributed include: Future Jobs Ireland, Project 2040, Rebuilding Ireland, Marine Planning, North East Inner City, and the new National Childcare Scheme. The Department supported the Taoiseach as he undertook an extensive programme of EU and international high-level political and diplomatic engagements throughout 2019. As well as promoting Ireland’s position on Brexit, these engagements were an opportunity for the Taoiseach to advance Ireland's interests with his fellow members of the European Council, promote Ireland’s strategic interests including Ireland’s successful UN Security Council campaign, and strengthening Ireland’s bilateral and multilateral relations. I would like to thank the staff in the Department for their continued hard work and dedication throughout the year. Martin Fraser Secretary General 3 Department of the Taoiseach Annual Report 2019 Our Mission Our purpose is to help the Taoiseach and the Government to develop a sustainable economy and a successful society, to pursue Ireland’s interests abroad, to implement the Government’s Programme and to build a better future for Ireland and all her citizens. Civil Service Vision To provide a world-class service to the State and to the people of Ireland 4 Department of the Taoiseach Annual Report 2019 Strategic Priorities 2017-2020 Following the appointment of the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar T.D., in June 2017 and the subsequent formation of the new Government, a new Statement of Strategy 2017-2020 was prepared for the Department and published in January 2018. To support the work of the Taoiseach and Government six strategic priorities, agreed in 2017, were identified in the Department’s Strategy Statement 2017 – 2020. A new Strategy Statement will be finalised over the coming months setting out the strategic priorities for the Department over the next three years. 5 Department of the Taoiseach Annual Report 2019 The Core Functions of the Department in 2019 Delivering the Executive functions of the Taoiseach and the Government Providing the Government Secretariat Supporting the Taoiseach in carrying out his duties as Head of Government, including in relation to the Oireachtas, Constitutional issues, Protocol, the European Council, the North/South Ministerial Council and the British-Irish Council Working with the Office of the President and with the Houses of the Oireachtas Engaging with the formulation and implementation of Government policy, mainly through the system of Cabinet Committees, Senior Officials’ Groups, the Programme for Government Office and the Parliamentary Liaison Unit The Office of the Taoiseach Support for Independent Ministers in Government The Office of the Government Chief Whip (who also has responsibility for the Central Statistics Office) Support for the Ministers of State assigned to the Department (with responsibility for Defence; for European Affairs, and for Data Protection) The Government Press Office and Government Information Service Providing briefing and advice for the Taoiseach on the full range of domestic policy issues and on international affairs (including through the work of the National Economic and Social Council) Supporting the Taoiseach and Government in the formulation, implementation and coordination across Government of policy on EU and international matters and in respect of Northern Ireland and British-Irish relations Delivering support services through Protocol and Corporate Affairs Division (HR, Finance, IT and other services). Through the Civil Service Management Board, which is chaired by the Secretary General, we provide collective leadership of the Civil Service Renewal Programme, working closely with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform 6 Department of the Taoiseach Annual Report 2019 Highlights During 2019, the 225.65 staff of the Department of the Taoiseach dealt with: 224 34,084 126 Items of Brexit related high- Domestic Engagements correspondence level engagements 9 53 106 North/South, General Affairs Councils Government Meetings British/Irish related high level engagements 809 984 18 Cabinet Committee Files transferred to the Memos to Government National Archives Meetings 1,073 188 20 European Council informal Speeches Parliamentary Questions summits and EU high-level engagements 489 Freedom of Information requests 7 Department of the Taoiseach Annual Report 2019 The Government and Cabinet Committees The Department provides the Secretariat to the Government. During 2019, the Government met 53 times and dealt with 984 Memoranda. The Department supported four away-day Cabinet meetings in Dublin, Cork, Meath, and Donegal and also provided support to the Taoiseach for ongoing bilateral meetings between him and Government Ministers. The Department provides the secretariat for Cabinet Committees and chairs the supporting Senior Officials’ Groups. There were 18 Cabinet Committee meetings in 2019. In July, the Cabinet Committees were reorganised and constituted as follows: Cabinet Committee on the Oversees issues relating to the Economy, including Future Jobs Economy Ireland. Cabinet Committee on Social Oversees issues relating to social policy and public services Policy and Public Services including health and Sláintecare. Cabinet Committee on Oversees issues relating to infrastructure, Project Ireland 2040 Infrastructure and Rebuilding Ireland (Housing). Cabinet Committee on Brexit, Oversees issues relating to foreign and European affairs, Foreign and European Affairs including Brexit and the Global Ireland 2025 Initiative. Cabinet Committee on the Oversees issues relating to the Environment, including the Environment Climate Action Plan. Oversees issues relating to justice, defence, Garda reform and Cabinet Committee on Security national security. 8 Department of the Taoiseach Annual Report 2019 State Visits and Events During 2019, the Department organised, or assisted in organising, a number of notable events and inward official visits, including: Prime Minister of Great Britain, Rt Hon Ms. Theresa May M.P. Prime Minister of Lithuania, H.E. Mr Saulius Skvernelis Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel The Honourable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and a Delegation from the United States Congress His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden President of the United States of America, Donald Trump Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands Vice President of the United States, Mr Mike Pence Prime Minister of Great Britain Rt Hon Mr Boris Johnson President-elect of the European Council, Mr Charles Michel Chief Negotiator for Brexit, Mr Michel Barnier The Department also supported the Taoiseach and the Ministers of State as they represented and promoted Ireland at various meetings and engagements abroad, including: St. Patrick’s Day events in Washington D.C. and Chicago; Boston and Pennsylvania; Denmark and Sweden; and Cyprus, Lebanon and Jordan. Trade mission to Los Angeles focused on growing tourism, trade and inward investment. The World Economic Forum in Davos. Bilateral engagement with EU leaders from Portugal, Lithuania, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, and