Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Mar 1999

Vol. 501 No. 6

Written Answers. - EU Meetings.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

125 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the name of the European Council of Ministers, if any, relevant to his Department; the number of council meetings he has attended since taking office; the number of meetings attended by an official or permanent representative in his absence; the number of meetings he has had with his equivalent European Ministers outside the Council of Ministers format since taking office; if officials from his Department meet regularly with Commission or other national officials; if so, the regularity with which they meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6722/99]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:

European Council of Ministers.	Number of meetings attended by Minister.	Number attended by Officials.	Meetings with Ministers (non-Council).
Council of Transport Ministers (Maritime Affairs)	1	2*	2
Council of Fisheries Ministers	6	nil	7
Council of Agriculture Ministers	nil(Attended by Minister for Agriculture and Food)	1*	3

*Main issues related to Minister for Public Enterprise.

I can also advise that my Department's representative in Brussels meets EU Commission and other member state officials on a weekly basis. Officials from Dublin meet their counterparts in the Commission and other member states in Brussels on a monthly basis at various EU working groups and meetings.