Mr. Karl Gardner:

I will take that question. The key point is that by the time we get to those meetings, a huge amount of work has been done in advance. A huge amount of engagement in respect of the agenda and our key points happens both in Brussels and through headquarters in Dublin before those meetings even happen. In terms of political input, there is constant engagement between the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and Commissioner Šefovi. Ireland’s inputs are fed into this process from an early point. I am the delegate on the specialised committee and by the time one gets to the meeting, in general nothing will be said that will be a shock or a surprise to anyone. On the day, we will be reinforcing our message again, as well as ensuring that it is not just the voice of the Commission and the UK, but that member states are watching this closely and are clearly engaged in the process.

As I am an official, I do not engage in the kind of political input the Chair is talking about. However, as I said, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, have direct engagement with senior Commission officials and with the Commissioners and so on. That is happening on an ongoing basis.