News & Events

Seminar on Change Management

Mason Hayes & Curran, was delighted to host the third in our series of seminars for senior civil servants on Friday 16th May 2008.

The seminar focused on “managing and achieving change in the public sector”. Topics discussed and guest speakers were as follows: The first speaker,Professor John Crown, Consultant Medical Oncologist focused on the HSE and their "Failure to Achieve Change”. Professor Crown is internationally recognised for his progressive research into improving the effects of chemotherapy dosage on cancer patients and has received a merit award from the European Society for Medical Oncology for his work in breast cancer research — the first Irish oncologist to have received such recognition.  Professor Crown was critical of the failure of the HSE to change in the face of costly inefficiencies.

The second speaker was Dr. Joe Mc Donagh, Senior Lecturer, School of Business, Trinity College Dublin  who focused on “Leading Change across Boundaries: Imperatives for Success”. Dr Joe McDonagh’s informative session focused on leading large-scale change in complex organizations; integrating ICT and organisational change; and collaborative approaches to inquiry and change.

There was a break for light refreshments and the following two speakers then led an equally informative second half to the day. John Leamy Chief Administrative Officer, An Garda Síochána, spoke about the “The Fruits of Change”. John Leamy spoke about his previous role and involvement as Assistant Secretary in the Revenue Commissioners where he had responsibility for the establishment and leadership of the Dublin Region. He is also spoke about being a key driver behind the conception and introduction of the Revenue Online Service (ROS), which is arguably the State’s finest example of how efficiencies and change can be secured through the use of technology.

The next speaker to follow was, Joe Horan, County Manager, South Dublin County Council, who spoke on the topic “Managing and Achieving Change: A Local Government Perspective”.  Joe has been the recipient of a host of awards which are testament to his commitment to innovation and change management.  In 2007, South Dublin County Council was presented with an eGovernment award for its innovative CONNECT Project, on the grounds that it demonstrated the most outstanding commitment and innovation in its approach to utilising ICT to implement outstanding eGovernment services in Ireland. 

The seminar was a successful and informative session and was populated by at regular intervals by engaging question and answer sessions.

If you have any queries regarding this seminar or Mason Hayes & Curran’s future plans for seminars focusing on the public sector, please contact: Dr Brian Hunt, head of public affairs on 01 614 5000.   



Pictured from left to right as follows;

John Kettle, Partner, Mason Hayes & Curran,  Joe Horan  County Manager, South Dublin County Council , John Leamy,  Chief Administrative Ofiicer, An Garda Siochana,  Prof. John Crown,  Consultant Medical Oncologist,  Dr Joe McDonagh , Senior Lectuer, School of Business, Trinity College Dublin, Dr. Brian Hunt, Consultant, Mason Hayes & Curran, Declan Moylan, Chairman, Mason Hayes & Curran.