Ministerial press briefings and political presentations

Summary

The request sought attendance records for Friday ministerial press briefings and counts of private political presentations to Tynwald members for the 2015-2017 period. The Cabinet Office disclosed the number of private presentations but confirmed it does not hold records regarding press briefing attendance or specific dates.

Key Facts

• The Cabinet Office does not keep records of which ministers attended specific press briefings.
• Friday press conference arrangements are fluid and decided on Thursday afternoons based on minister availability.
• There were 17 political and officer-led presentations during the 2016/2017 parliamentary session.
• There were 11 political and officer-led presentations during the 2015/2016 parliamentary session.
• The Corporate Communications Team does not record which press briefings were cancelled or re-arranged.

Data Disclosed

• 17
• 11
• 2016/2017
• 2015/2016
• October 11, 2016
• October 30, 2017
• October 11, 2015
• October 30, 2016
• 3 November 2017
• 2017-12-01
• 2017-11-03

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

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REFERENCE NUMBER: IM109135I

REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2015 (“the Act”) Thank you for your request 3 November 2017 for the following information, subsequent clarification being show in bold: “1) How many of the regular Friday ministerial press briefings were held between October 11, 2016 and October 30, 2017? Please list how many times each minister attended such a briefing. 2) How many of the regular Friday ministerial press briefings were held between October 11, 2015 and October 30, 2016? Please list how many times each minister attended such a briefing. 3) During the parliamentary session of 2016-17, how many private briefings political and officer- led presentations were held by a government department, for have the head(s), senior managers and above, of Cabinet Office given to Tynwald members, to discuss in advance an item that was due to be considered during a subsequent parliamentary sitting? 4) During the parliamentary session of 2015-16, how many private briefings political and officer- led presentations were held by a government department, for have the head(s), senior managers and above, of Cabinet Office given to Tynwald members, to discuss in advance an item that was due to be considered during a subsequent parliamentary sitting?” Response to your request
Please find below information requested.
Parts 1) & 2) While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Cabinet Office does not hold the information that you have requested. The Corporate Communications Team does not keep a record of which press briefings took place and which were cancelled or re-arranged. No record is kept of which Minister attended which briefing, should a briefing have taken please.
The Ministerial press conferences support Government’s efforts to engage with the local media and keep the public informed of important issues. They form part of a broad mix of communications along with news releases and statements, social media messaging, website posts, videos, presentations and briefings, newsletters, speeches and public appearances.

Government Office DOUGLAS Isle of Man IM1 3PN Tel: (+44) 01624 686244 Fax: (+44) 01624 685710 Website www.gov.im/co
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Work is aimed at explaining Government policy, initiatives and new legislation, as well as informing taxpayers about how their money is being spent to support public services. Internationally, there is a focus on raising awareness of the Isle of Man to promote its reputation as a dynamic and well- regulated business centre. The Friday morning press conferences are organised subject to the availability of Ministers and the items of Government business to communicate. As such, the arrangements are fluid and a decision on whether or not to host the press conference is taken on the Thursday afternoon.

Increasingly, Government media briefings and interview opportunities are taking place at other times during the week in order to provide timely information to the media and public. In addition, the media can arrange access to the Chief Minister and Ministers at short notice, with the support of Corporate Communications.

Government remains committed to the principles of open, transparent and clear communications in the interest of public accountability. Part 3) During parliamentary session 2016/2017 there were 17 political and officer-led presentations. Part 4) During parliamentary session 2015/2016 there were 11 political and officer-led presentations. Your right to request a review If you are unhappy with this response to your Freedom of Information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post to the FOI Co-ordinator, Cabinet Office, Government Office, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 3PN. An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website https://www.gov.im/foireview. If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact us and we will be happy to arrange for this.
Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to apply for a review of decisions by the Information Commissioner, for a decision on; 1) Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or
2) Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested. In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision.
More detailed information on your rights to review is on the Information Commissioner’s website at: https://www.inforights.im/ 3

Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about Freedom of Information requests can be found at: www.gov.im/foi.