Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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118. To ask the Taoiseach the number of times Cabinet committee C (European Union including Brexit) has met; the dates of these meetings; and the attendees at each. [31418/18]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Government approved the establishment of Cabinet Committee C on 5 July 2017.

This Cabinet Committee covers issues relating to the European Union, and assists the Government in its ongoing consideration of Brexit, as well as considering broader international issues. It also supports my participation as a member of the European Council.

Cabinet Committee C has met three times; on 11 September, 21 February and Thursday 21 June. The next meeting has not yet been scheduled.

In addition to myself in my role as Taoiseach, the membership of Cabinet Committee C includes the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade (with special responsibility for Brexit); Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform; Minister for Justice and Equality; Minister for Business, Enterprise & Innovation; Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport; Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection; Minister for Education and Skills; Minister for Health; Minister of State for European Affairs; Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection; Minister of State for Defence, and the Attorney General.

Given their significance, matters relating to Brexit are regularly discussed at meetings of the full Cabinet. In addition, I regularly meet with Ministers on an individual basis to focus on particular issues, including those relating to the EU and Brexit.

Preparation for Brexit at official level, both in relation to the negotiations and in preparing for the potential consequences of the UK's withdrawal from the EU, is intensive, with inter-departmental and senior officials' groups meeting regularly.