Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 May 2014
139. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the legal basis and legislative underpinning for the permanent representation of Ireland to the European Union in Brussels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20244/14]
View answerPursuant to section 1 of the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924, as amended, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is assigned responsibility for the administration and business generally of public services in connection with communications and transactions with other states, as well as the maintaining of diplomatic and consular representation, which includes permanent representations such as the Permanent Representation to the European Union. Article 10 of Protocol No.7 to the Treaty on European Union and Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union provides that representatives of Member States taking part in the work of the institutions of the Union, their advisers and technical experts shall, in the performance of their duties and during their travel to and from the place of meeting, enjoy the customary privileges, immunities and facilities. Protocol No.7 forms parts of Irish law pursuant to section 2 of the European Communities Act 1972, as amended. Belgium gives effect to Protocol No.7 in its role as host state to EU institutions and the permanent representations thereto.
