Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of staff in his Department specifically assigned to monitoring EU policy developments; if these staff are based here or in Brussels; if his Department does not have staff specifically assigned to monitor EU policy developments when last, if ever, were such staff specifically assigned to such a role. [20381/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Given the major role of the EU in establishing the policy framework for Irish agricultural policy, significant numbers of staff in various line divisions of my Department are engaged with EU policy matters on an ongoing basis. These include officers in all policy areas of the Department, in the animal, plant and public health areas and in the operational divisions of the Department dealing with EU-related schemes. There is a dedicated EU and International Trade Division of the Department, comprising nine officials, to co-ordinate EU policy matters. In addition 12 officers from the Department have been assigned as Counsellors or attachés at Irish Embassies or Missions abroad, five of whom are based in Brussels.