Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

363. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff within her Department who are based and working with the European Union in Brussels; their present roles and responsibilities; the posts and responsibilities that are presently vacant; the corresponding figures on 23 June 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19038/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) team at Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels currently consists of seven officials from the Department of Justice made up of one Counsellor, four Attachés and two administrative staff. There are currently no vacancies in the JHA team.

The role of officials in the JHA team is to offer assistance to Ministers and other delegates during their visits to Brussels, and to advance Irish policy objectives and the Department’s mission in EU matters under the direction of the relevant Departmental experts.

Staff of the Permanent Representation participate in the various Council working groups dealing with Justice and Home Affairs issues, to support the Minister for Justice in attending and participating in EU Justice & Home Affairs Councils, and more generally to ensure good communication between the Department of Justice in Dublin and relevant contacts in the EU institutions and other EU Member States.

On 23 June 2016, the JHA team at Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels consisted of five officials from the Department of Justice, made up of one Counsellor, two Attachés and two administrative staff.