Assistant Secretary for Government Secretariat, Protocol and General Division, and Parliamentary Liaison Unit

The Government Secretariat co-ordinates the business of Government meetings, including the preparation of agendas, the circulation of memoranda and the communication of decisions. It operates on the basis of the written procedures set down in the Cabinet Handbook.

The Protocol & General Division has responsibility for State protocol, including protocol for the Taoiseach. This includes the organisation of State and official functions (including commemorations arising from the decade of Centenaries), and assisting with inward visits by Heads of State or Government. The Division has responsibility for Cabinet Committee F (National Security). It is the point of contact between the Office of the President and Government Departments and has responsibility for Arts and Culture issues in particular in relation to the Creative Ireland Initiative. Other functions include facilitating the programme of structured dialogue between Government and churches, philosophical and non-confessional bodies and liaison on administrative matters with the legal offices of the State and the Moriarty Tribunal.

The Parliamentary Liaison Unit facilitates the enhanced relationship between the Government and the Oireachtas with a view to ensuring the timely implementation of the Government’s legislative programme.