Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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1551. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of European Council meetings he has attended to date; and the details of the matters discussed. [41210/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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There have been 2 Councils of Ministers for Transport since my appointment as Minister. I  attended the Council of Ministers on 7th June 2016, and an Assistant Secretary and officials from the Permanent Representative Office in Brussels attended in my place for the Council meeting of 1 December 2016.

The main issues discussed at June Council are outlined below.

- The  Council adopted mandates which  will  enable the  Commission to launch negotiations on comprehensive air transport agreements with four key partners: the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Turkey. 

- The Council also agreed on a general approach on new rules concerning the recognition of professional qualifications in inland navigation.

- There was a policy debate on nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from diesel cars and the Council considered that efforts should be made to clarify the application of existing legislation on defeat devices in order to reduce NOx emissions from vehicles. 

- In addition, the Council discussed the contribution of the EU to the ongoing talks in ICAO on a global market-based measure to cut CO2 emissions from international aviation, in preparation of the next ICAO Assembly. The Council also took note of progress made on a proposal to revise the current regulatory framework on aviation safety, which includes the first-ever EU-wide rules on the use of drones and important new provisions on safety-related security matters.

Full details of the outcome of the June Council meeting can be found on the website of the Council of the European Union at .  The outcome of the Council meeting on 1 December 2016 can also be found on the website at the following link: .