Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Mar 1999

Vol. 501 No. 6

Written Answers. - EU Meetings.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

148 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Defence 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. [6725/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I have not attended any Council of Ministers meetings since assuming office as Minister for Defence. Neither have I been represented by officials or permanent representatives at any such meetings.

With regard to meetings with Defence Ministers of other European countries, I would refer the Deputy to the reply which I gave in the House on 25 February 1999 in relation to an informal meeting of Defence Ministers of member states of the European Union which I attended in Vienna in November last.

From time to time officials of my Department attend, in conjunction with representatives of the Department of Marine and Natural Resources, meeting with European Commission officials in the context of Ireland's claim for funding in relation to implementing monitoring and control systems under the Common Fisheries Policy.