Written answers

Tuesday, 12 April 2011

Department of Social Protection

European Council Meetings

9:00 pm

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of Council of the European Union's meetings that her predecessor was entitled to attend in the year before 9 March 2011; the dates of such meetings; in each case if her predecessor attended the meeting or if the meeting was attended by officials in her place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7449/11]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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During the period in question there were a total of seven meetings of the Council for Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs. It is the practice for the Employment and Social Affairs items to be taken on one day of this two day meeting, and Health and Consumer Affairs to be taken separately on the other. In relation to the former, the subject matter covers topics which span the interests of a number of Irish Government Departments – Social Protection; Enterprise, Trade and Innovation; and Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Representation at the Council is decided on the basis of the items to be discussed, and it is often the case that ministerial attendance from this Department is not considered necessary.

During the period in question the Minister along with a Department official attended one meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, in Luxembourg on 7th June 2010. The formal meeting held in Brussels on 6th and 7th of December 2010 was attended by a Department official.

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