Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 97: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs 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. [7446/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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EU Ministers for Foreign Affairs attend meetings of the General Affairs Council and the Foreign Affairs Council, which usually take place on the same day. They also attend twice-yearly informal meetings of Foreign Ministers, the so-called "Gymnich" meetings. In the year before 9 March 2011 there were eleven meetings of the General Affairs Council. Of these, Mr Micheál Martin T.D., who served as Minister for Foreign Affairs for the period in question up to 11 January 2011, attended three. The then Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen, retained the position of Minister for Foreign Affairs from 11 January to 9 March 2011. Mr Dick Roche, who served as Minister of State for European Affairs for the duration of the period in question, headed the Irish delegation at five meetings. Ireland was represented at three meetings by the Permanent Representative of Ireland to the European Union.

There were twelve meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council in the period (including one extraordinary meeting at the same time as the 16 September European Council). Of these, Minister Martin attended three while the Minister of State headed the delegation at six. Ireland was represented at two meetings by the Permanent Representative of Ireland to the European Union.

There were also two Gymnich meetings, both of which were attended by the Minister.

The dates of these meetings and representation by Ireland at them were as follows:

General Affairs Councils

22 March 2010 Minister for Foreign Affairs

26 April 2010 Minister of State for European Affairs

10 May 2010 Minister of State for European Affairs

14 June 2010 Minister for Foreign Affairs

26 July 2010 Minister of State for European Affairs

13 September 2010 Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU

25 October 2010 Minister of State for European Affairs

22 November 2010 Minister for Foreign Affairs

14 December 2010 Minister of State for European Affairs

31 January 2011 Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU

21 February 2011 Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU

Foreign Affairs Councils

22 March 2010 Minister for Foreign Affairs

26 April 2010 Minister of State for European Affairs

10 May 2010 Minister of State for European Affairs

14 June 2010 Minister for Foreign Affairs

26 July 2010 Minister of State for European Affairs

9 September 2010 Minister of State for European Affairs

16 September 2010 Minister for Foreign Affairs

25 October 2010 Minister of State for European Affairs

22 November 2010 Minister for Foreign Affairs

13 December 2010 Minister of State for European Affairs

31 January 2011 Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU

21 February 2011 Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU

Gymnich meetings

5/6 March 2010 Minister for Foreign Affairs

10/11 September 2010 Minister for Foreign Affairs

The regular meetings of the Council of Ministers are important in themselves for the transaction of EU business that takes place there. They provide the opportunity to input the Irish point of view and, more generally, to make a constructive contribution. They are also occasions when bilateral contacts with individual partners and with the EU institutions can be pursued. Accordingly, my colleagues and I intend to use such opportunities as part of an effort to enhance Ireland's standing in the Union.