Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 139: To ask the Taoiseach the persons BirdWatch Ireland represents; the number of members in that organisation; if he will confirm their capacity for economic and social research and analysis to justify their replacing the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association representative to the European Economic and Social Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33796/10]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 140: To ask the Taoiseach when it was decided that the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers representative to the European Economic and Social Council would be reallocated to a representative of BirdWatch Ireland; the person who made this decision; the reason it was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31713/10]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 141: To ask the Taoiseach if he will give details of whom BirdWatch Ireland represents; the number of members of same; their capacity for economic and social research and analysis to justify their replacing the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers representative to the European Economic and Social Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31715/10]

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 143: To ask the Taoiseach his views on the reduction of farming representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee in favour of an environmental representative from BirdWatch Ireland; if representations were made to him with regard to this change; the nominations he proposed for the EESC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31348/10]

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 150: To ask the Taoiseach the reason a change has been made to the structure of the European Economic and Social Committee, reducing the number of farming representatives from two to one; the basis on which this decision was made; whose interests it serves to replace a representative from the farming community with a representative of BirdWatch Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31776/10]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 166: To ask the Taoiseach the date on which it was decided that the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association representative to the European Economic and Social Committee would be reallocated to a representative of BirdWatch Ireland; the person that made this decision; the reason it was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33793/10]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 167: To ask the Taoiseach the persons or organisations that BirdWatch Ireland represents; the number of members it has; their capacity for economic and social research and analysis to justify their replacing the ICMSA representative to the European Economic and Social Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33795/10]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 to 141, inclusive, 143, 150, 166 and 167, inclusive, together.

In June 2010 the Government sought nominations to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) from the social partners in line with long-established practice.

Ireland has nine places on the EESC and our nominations are divided equally between the three constituent Groups of the EESC: Employers; Employees; and Various Interests. The nominations were forwarded by the Government to the Secretariat of the European Council.

The Various Interests Group on the EESC comprises representatives of a wide variety of organisations, including non-governmental organisations, farmers' organisations, co-operatives and non-profit associations, and environmental organisations. The EESC is mandated to consider environmental issues and environmental sustainability is a key focus of European policy. Other countries have long had environmental organisation representatives among their nominees.

For the first time, Ireland's nominees to the Various Interests Group of the EESC included a representative from the Environmental Pillar. This change reflects the decision which was taken by Government last year to create a fifth Pillar of Social Partnership to represent Environmental concerns and was not in response to representations received.

The Environmental Pillar of Social Partnership consists of twenty seven organisations with a diverse range of interests. The Environmental Pillar selected an employee of BirdWatch Ireland as its nominee on the Committee. She is therefore a representative of the twenty seven organisations in the Environmental Pillar and environmental interests more generally. The Environmental Pillar representative will be able to draw on the combined capacity for economic, social and environmental research and analysis of the constituent members of the Pillar and its secretariat. Information on the membership of BirdWatch Ireland and its objectives may be obtained directly from that organisation.

Given that there is an overall limit of nine Irish places, it was necessary to reduce the nominations from the Farming Pillar from two to one. This change to the composition of the Irish representation on the EESC does not reflect any diminution of the Government's commitment to the agricultural industry. The farming sector is an extremely important part of the Irish economy and the Government continues to strongly support its development at national and EU level. The Food Harvest 2020 Strategy sets out a roadmap for the agricultural industry and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is chairing a high level group to oversee its implementation.

It is also important to note that the Farming Pillar of social partnership and farming interests continue to be represented on the EESC through a representative of the Irish Farmers' Association.