Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 459: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht 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. [19989/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As Irish Minister with responsibility for the culture elements of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (EYCS), I attend meetings of that Council grouping, as required. There have been three meetings of the EYCS grouping since 9 March 2011 to date. As the EYCS Council meeting in February 2012 dealt only with Education matters, there was no requirement for attendance from the culture perspective.

In relation to the Environmental Council, I also attend meetings where matters relating to my Ministerial responsibilities arise. I attended this Council in December 2011 as one of the main items for discussion was the EU Biodiversity Strategy – an area under my Department's remit.

Relevant details are set out in the following tables: