Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of staff in his Department specifically assigned to monitoring EU policy developments; if these staff are based here or in Brussels; and 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. [20390/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department has an EU Affairs Section specifically dedicated to monitoring EU developments. There are 4 staff in the EU Affairs Section of the Department. The role of the Section is primarily to:

1. Define, coordinate and develop the Department's position on EU policy matters and its relationship with the EU Institutions.

2. Oversee key aspects of the Department's EU priorities with particular regard to the Europe 2020 Strategy and the coordination of relevant inputs into Ireland's National Reform Programme and other cross-cutting and horizontal issues at EU level.

3. Manage and coordinate planning and preparation for Ireland's EU Presidency 2013.

The Department also has 5 staff in the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU in Brussels (PRB). The Department's staff in the PRB serve the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER), other key EU Committees, Working Groups and liaise with EU Affairs Section and relevant Policy Sections in the Department. They cover areas such as Trade policy, Company Law, Consumer Issues, Competition, Research and Development, Intellectual Property and Patents, Industrial Policy, State Aids, Internal Market and Employment. In addition, staff across every division within my Department are involved in policy formulation in their areas nationally and contributing to developments at EU level through engagement with the EU institutions and other Member States.