Written answers
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Department of Justice, Equality and Defence
European Council Meetings
9:00 pm
Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of European Council meetings that his predecessor was entitled to attend in the year before 9 March 2011; the dates of such meetings; in each case if his predecessor attended the meeting or if the meeting was attended by officials in his place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7448/11]
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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In the year to 9 March 2011 there were eight Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council meetings. These were held on 22/23 April 2010, 3/4 June 2010, 15/16 July 2010, 7/8 October 2010, 8/9 November 2010, 2/3 December 2010, 20/21 January 2011 and 24/25 February 2011.
My immediate predecessor, Mr. Brendan Smith T.D., was Minister at the time of the JHA Council meeting in February 2011, at which he was represented by Ireland's Permanent Representative to the EU and senior officials of my Department. His predecessor, Mr. Dermot Ahern, was Minister at the time of the previous seven meetings, of which he attended three (June, July and November 2010). In the remaining instances, he was represented by Ireland's Permanent Representative to the EU and senior officials of my Department.
I regard the work of the JHA Council as being of the highest importance and it is my intention to attend whenever possible, having regard to my overall official commitments at the time.
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