Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 100: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the role he will play in preparing for Ireland's Presidency of the EU in 2013; and if this role will increase following the transfer of responsibility for EU co-ordination from his Department. [21421/11]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 102: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his role in co-ordinating Ireland's next Presidency of the EU Council. [24708/11]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 104: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the involvement he has in respect of the preparations for the 2013 Presidency of the European Council. [24724/11]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 105: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will detail the role to be played by his Department in Ireland's Presidency of the European Council. [26099/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 102, 104 and 105 together.

I retain overall Ministerial responsibility for the co-ordination of EU affairs, including preparations for Ireland's Presidency of the EU in 2013.

Following the transfer of the European Union Division at my Department to the Department of the Taoiseach, the Second Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach will be responsible for the management of an integrated EU co-ordination function and will report to both the Taoiseach and me as appropriate on our particular duties at European level, including for Presidency planning and management. This appointment, and the establishment of a unified EU Division at the Department of the Taoiseach, will result in more effective coordination and promote a greater strategic direction of Ireland's engagement with the EU in all Departments and across the Government, including in our preparation for, and management of, Ireland's Presidency in 2013.

Planning for Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2013 is coordinated by two interdepartmental groups; the first group leads on policy preparations (and is chaired by the Minister of State for European Affairs), while the second group is coordinating logistics planning.

Ireland is a member of a Presidency 'Trio' that also includes Lithuania (which will succeed Ireland as Presidency in the second half of 2013) and Greece (which will take over the Presidency in January 2014). Last July I met the Lithuanian Prime Minister to discuss preparations for our Presidencies in 2013. I have also met with the Lithuanian Foreign Minister on two occasions in recent months. I also hope to meet my Greek counterpart shortly.

The Taoiseach met Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council, at Government Buildings in June and their discussions included the forthcoming Irish Presidency. Similarly, during his visit to Ireland this summer the Taoiseach and I met Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament, and the Irish Presidency was a significant topic in those meetings

The Minister of State for European Affairs has met a number of her counterparts including the Greek European Affairs Minister, the Secretary General of the European Parliament and the Secretary General of the European Commission to discuss Ireland's Presidency and other issues. Officials have also held meetings with representatives of the EU institutions and with Trio partners. Contacts at all levels will become more frequent over the coming months as preparations for the Presidency intensify.