A minister’s words – and her adviser’s reply

September 6, 2016 From: MMO’C To: Alan Cantwell

Confirm receipt of MY emails please and send a confirmation of same and response if required. I WANT to know what exactly is going on and what isn’t. ALL emails sent from your @djei email to be CC’d to me.

September 8, 2016 From: Alan Cantwell

Re: Draft Biog Minister, See attached draft Biog – thoughts? Alan

Reply from MMO’C

Re: Draft Biog Put something in about 1. Jobs 2. Enterprise 3. Innovation

September 17, 2016 From: MMO’C To: Alan Cantwell

Re: Messaging I now want you and Jim and maybe Marie (a woman) to work on these issues.

I would like a warm, empathetic narrative and response using words like just society, We, rural, ambitious, caring.

A few good adjectives, memorable ‘soundbytes’ (less than nine words) and phrases, that will resonate with listener rather than short trite answers. I want to make the answers my own.

September 29, 2016 From: Alan Cantwell To: MMO’C

Re: Digital Dún Laoghaire Minister, Digital Dún Laoghaire attached. I have left out the most recent unemployment stats as they show unemployment has increased since you took office.

October 14, 2016 From: MMO’C To: Michelle Tobin, Alan Cantwell

Re: Know Where You Stand 2017 Michelle, would you mind spending all day Monday on this leaflet... I want mine going to print before MB! [The minister’s constituency running mate is Maria Bailey].

October 31, 2016 (By hand)

Minister, Please accept my resignation. As per terms of my contract I will finish on Friday 4th Nov. Regards, Alan