Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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422. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the parameters of his recent address to the Bureau of European Policy Advisors high-level seminar of the European Commission in Brussels on 9 July 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34708/13]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Bureau of European Policy Advisors (BEPA) is a service of the European Commission, reporting directly to the President of the Commission and under his authority. The Bureau is composed of a professional staff of advisers, policy analysts and support staff whose role is to provide professional advice to the President and the Commissioners and to formulate recommendations on issues regarding the policy of the European Union.

On 9 July 2013 I took part in a high-level seminar organised by BEPA which brought together specialists and practitioners to share their insights and experience in the field of public-sector innovation and discuss the opportunities for, and challenges to, further progress at a European and Member State level. The seminar was also addressed by the President of the Commission, Jose Manuel Barosso.

In my speech I reflected on Ireland's recent Presidency of the Council of Ministers and went on to discuss Ireland's Public Service reform programme, including the importance of innovation, recent developments in the reform programme and the Haddington Road agreement.

The full text of my speech is available at .