Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Defence the level of participation and responsibility of each Minister of State in his Department in relation to attendance at Ministerial Councils for which his Department has responsibility since the formation of the Government; and if he will list all such meetings which have taken place and the Minister in attendance at each meeting. [21506/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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There is no separate Defence Ministers' Council within the EU Council of Ministers. However, twice a year - once during each Presidency - Defence Ministers attend the formal Foreign Affairs Council. Since the formation of the present Government there has been one meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council with Defence Ministers, held in Brussels on Monday 23 May 2011. The Secretary General of the Department of Defence attended this meeting as the Minister of State and I were involved in the visit of President Obama on that day.

The Minister of State at the Department of Defence does not have specific responsibility in relation to attendance at Ministerial Councils. While the Minister of State may be requested to deputise for me in the event of prior commitments on my part, this has not happened to date.