Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

On taking office, the Government committed itself to restoring Ireland's standing as a respected and influential member of the European Union. We also set out specific commitments aimed at improving our engagement with Europe. The establishment of a new interdepartmental committee on EU engagement, to be chaired by the Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs, Deputy Creighton, is one of a range of steps we are taking to bring the necessary drive and focus to the delivery of this commitment.

The committee's membership will include senior official representatives of all Departments, the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The committee will maintain an overview of participation by Ministers in meetings of the Council and encourage closer engagement with the European Commission and the European Parliament. It will seek to support the engagement of the Oireachtas on EU affairs and promote initiatives to improve public awareness of the EU and the benefits to Ireland of our membership. The committee will examine our participation in the shaping of EU legislation from initial proposals to transposition into domestic law. It will have an important influence as Ireland prepares for the Presidency of the EU in the first six months of 2013.

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