Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 October 2012
150. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the administrative arrangements that have been put in place within his Department to prepare for Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the Presidency of the European Union [42809/12]
View answerPreparations for Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2013 are continuing and are on track.
The Programme for Government makes a clear commitment to restoring Ireland's standing as a respected an influential member of the EU and the wider international community. Ireland’s Council of the Presidency of the EU during the first six months in 2013 will be a critical element of this process. The Government looks forward to using the Presidency to define and promote policy and legislation that can benefit the lives of millions of citizens in Ireland and across the EU.
Work is underway on the administrative planning for the EU Presidency which is being taken forward by my Department. This work involves close coordination with the Department of the Taoiseach, with other Government Departments and with the OPW. An Inter-Departmental group meets on a regular basis to update on policy and developments in this area. In tandem with this, a meetings coordinators network comprising all Departments was established early in 2012 and now meets on a monthly basis to discuss detailed logistical planning for events that will take place in Ireland during the Presidency.
A Government decision of 20 December 2011 agreed, inter alia, that "additional resources in the order of €60million, plus security costs", is required to fund the Presidency and that Dublin Castle and other State-owned properties in Dublin will be the default venues for all Presidency-related events in Ireland. In addition, the planning approach agreed foresees the provision of centralised services to Departments for the Presidency where it is advantageous to do so.
This centralised approach, led by my Department, is being adopted in order to reduce overall resource costs, to ease the administrative burden for other Departments and to avoid duplication of effort. This includes a centralised procurement scheme for all goods and services that will be required for the running of the Presidency which is nearing completion.
