Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 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 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. [56548/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Council of the European Union is a key decision-making institution of the EU, at whose meetings all EU Member States are represented. Since 9 March 2011, I have represented Ireland at 12 meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council and 4 meetings of the General Affairs Council. In addition, I have also attended 4 informal meetings of Foreign Ministers, the so-called “Gymnich” meetings.

When I have been unable to attend these meetings, Ireland has been represented by a Ministerial colleague, generally the Minister for State for European Affairs.

Since 9 March 2011, the Minister of State with special responsibility for European Affairs, Ms. Lucinda Creighton T.D. has represented Ireland at 5 meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council. and 17 meetings of the General Affairs Council.

In addition, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr. Brendan Howlin T.D. represented Ireland at one meeting of the General Affairs Council dedicated to Cohesion Policy.

Details of attendance, at meetings of the General Affairs Council, the Foreign Affairs Council and “Gymnichs” since 9 March 2011, are listed as follows.

2012

2011 (9 March – end 2011)