Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Council of the European Union's meetings he was entitled to attend in the past three years; the number of Council meetings he attended; the number of same that were attended by officials in his place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19129/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Since my appointment as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in May 2008 there have been 17 Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council meetings, nine of which I have attended. Minister of State Conor Lenihan attended two Council meetings on my behalf. In the remaining instances, I was represented by Ireland's Permanent Representative to the EU and senior officials of my Department. I regard the work of the Council as being of the highest importance and attend where possible, having regard to my overall official commitments at the time.