Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of civil servants from his Department who are based in the European Commission working in the relevant permanent representative offices; their titles and functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3820/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The number of civil servants from the Department of Defence assigned to the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU in Brussels is five: one Principal Officer, two Assistant Principal Officers, one Executive Officer and one Clerical Officer. Their work involves participation in the development and monitoring of the Common Security and Defence Policy, the European Defence Agency and Partnership for Peace (PfP). An additional officer at Higher Executive Officer level, whose work includes participation in the development and monitoring of PfP, is assigned to the Embassy of Ireland in Brussels. The role played by these officials is important in ensuring Ireland's needs and concerns in the nature of defence policy are addressed at European level, mainly via the Ambassador to the Political and Security Committee and by their representation at Political Military Group meetings and the Steering Board of the European Defence Agency. Other Committees on which Ireland is represented in this regard are the European Security and Defence College, Athena Special Committee and the European Union Satellite Centre.