Dan Boyle
Question:240 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the consideration being given to holding a European Council summit meeting in Cork city during Ireland's forthcoming Presidency of the European Union. [8246/03]
Written Answers - EU Presidency.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:251 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the meeting of the European Council involving the Prime Ministers of all EU member states will be held in Cork during Ireland's Presidency of the EU in 2004. [8094/03]
Dan Boyle
Question:259 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the consideration being given to holding a European Council summit meeting in Cork city during Ireland's forthcoming Presidency of the European Union. [8247/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 240, 251 and 259 together.
A declaration annexed to the Nice treaty provides that, as from 2002, one European Council meeting per Presidency will be held in Brussels and that when the Union comprises 18 members, all European Council meetings will be held in Brussels. Ten new member states are set to join the European Union on 1 May 2004 during our Presidency and both of the European Council meetings scheduled for our Presidency will be held in Brussels.