Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 3

Written Answers. - Official Engagements.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

392 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the meetings, formal and informal, of European Union Councils relevant to his position or portfolio held since June 1997; the number of such meetings personally attended by him; and the details of the person who led the Irish delegation at such Council meetings when not attended by him. [23331/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The following table sets out the information requested by the Deputy for the EU Health Councils attended in the period referred to:

Date of Council	Name of person who attended	Title
4 December 1997	Mr. Brian Cowen TD	Minister for Health and Children
30 April 1998	Mr. Frank Cogan	Deputy Permanent Representative
12 November 1998	Mr. Brian Cowen TD	Minister for Health and Children
8 June 1999	Mr. James Brennan	Deputy Permanent Representative
18 November 1999	Mr. Brian Cowen TD	Minister for Health and Children
29 June 2000	Mr. Micheál Martin TD	Minister for Health and Children
14 December 2000	Mr. James Brennan	Deputy Permanent Representative
5 June 2001	Mr. Micheál Martin TD	Minister for Health and Children
15 November 2001	Dr. Tom Moffatt TD	Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children
26 June 2002	Mr. Micheál Martin TD	Minister for Health and Children
8 October 2002	Mr. Ivor Callely TD	Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children
2 December 2002	Mr. Brian Lenihan TD	Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children
6 March 2003	Ms. Mary Coughlan TD	Minister for Social and Family Affairs
6 May 2003 (Special)	Mr. Micheál Martin TD	Minister for Health and Children
2 June 2003	Mr. Micheál Martin TD	Minister for Health and Children

The Deputy should note that Council formations have been re-constituted following the decisions of the Seville European Council in 2002 with the effect that health items are covered as part of a new Council formation called the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, ESPHCA. Therefore, the Minister for Health and Children attends those Council meetings where there are a significant number of health items to be discussed.