Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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753. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on Ireland's contribution to the council conclusions supporting the launch by the Commission of a European Innovation Partnership entitled Smart Cities and Communities during the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36228/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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This EU initiative was discussed  by the Intermodal Council Working Party, chaired by an official from my Department, and subsequently by the Committee of Permanent Representatives. The conclusions were adopted by the Environment Council of 21st March 2013.

The Council conclusions welcomed this initiative and endorsed the Commission’s proposal to launch the Smart Cities EIP in the first half of 2013. It recalled the common principles regarding the governance of EIPs, in particular transparency, participation of Member States and avoiding duplication in line with the conclusions on European Innovation Partnerships adopted by the Competitiveness Council in May 2012 and in November 2010.

The Commission was invited to report to the Council by the end of 2013 on progress achieved in the Smart Cities EIP.