Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 322: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the formations of the EU Councils of Ministers on which he sits; the number of meetings of that council held from 9 March 2011 to date in 2012; the number of those meetings he has attended; the number attended by a Minister of State; the number attended by an Irish official; and if he will provide the names of those who attended in tabular form. [19998/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department has the lead responsibility for the Competitiveness Council and for the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO). When the Foreign Affairs Council considers trade matters, such matters also come within the remit of my Department.

The Competitiveness Council itself is sub-divided into industry, internal market and research issues.

The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) is composed of employment, social protection, consumer protection, health and equal opportunities Ministers, who meet around four times a year. Participation is usually undertaken by the Minister or Ministers within whose sphere of responsibility the priority legislative or non-legislative business on the Council agenda happens to fall.

The following tables list the number of Formal and Informal Competitiveness Council meetings, ESPCO meetings and Foreign Affairs (Trade) Council meetings and attendees or otherwise for the period 9 March 2011 to date.