Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2012
411. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the formations of the EU Councils of Ministers on which he sits; the number of meetings of that Council held from 9 March 2011 to date in 2012; the number of those meetings he attended; the number attended by a Minister of State; the number attended by an Irish official; and if he will provide the names of those who attended in tabular form. [56543/12]
View answerThe policies of Transport, Telecommunications and Energy are dealt with, under one Council formation – Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (TTE). Councils are normally held in spring (February/March), June, October and December. There are usually four meetings of Transport Ministers (March, June, October and December), three meetings of Energy Ministers (spring, June and December), and two meetings of Telecommunications Ministers (June and December), although there may occasionally be additional meetings held. In my role as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, I sit on the Energy Council and the Telecommunications Council.
Details of the number of meetings of each Council held in 2011 and to date in 2012 and the attendees are detailed in the following tables.
Energy Council
|
Year |
Number of Meetings held |
Person who Attended |
|
2011 |
4 |
Two were attended by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr Pat Rabbitte TD Two were attended by Deputy Permanent Representative Ms Geraldine Byrne-Nason |
|
2012 |
3 |
Two were attended by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr Pat Rabbitte TD One meeting was attended by Minister of State, Mr Fergus O’Dowd TD |
Telecommunications Council
|
Year |
Number of Meetings held |
Person who Attended |
|
2011 |
2 |
One meeting was attended by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr Pat Rabbitte TD and one meeting was attended by Minister of State, Mr Fergus O’Dowd TD |
|
2012 |
1 1 Due in Dec 2012 |
One meeting which was attended by Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr Pat Rabbitte TD. Minister Rabbitte is due to attend the final telecommunications council in December. |
