Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 February 2021
140. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually. [10816/21]
View answerThe Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) and the General Affairs Council (GAC) fall under the remit of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Under the Foreign Affairs Council configuration, there have been 6 physical FAC meetings – 13 July 2020, 21 September 2020, 12 October 2020, 7 December 2020, 25 January 2021 and 22 February 2021. All took place in Brussels, with the exception of the October FAC which was held in Luxembourg. Two informal video conferences of Foreign Affairs Ministers were also held, on 14 August 2020 and 19 November 2020.
In addition, there were two meetings of EU Development Ministers, styled as meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council (Development). These meetings were held on 29 September 2020 and 23 November 2020. Both meetings were informal and held by video conference.
Under the General Affairs Council configuration, there were 5 informal video conferences of the Ministers of European Affairs. These were held on 15 July 2020, 17 November 2020, 8 December 2020, 18 January 2021 and 23 February 2021. There were two physical GAC meetings held, on 22 September 2020 in Brussels and on 13 October 2020 in Luxembourg. In addition, the German Presidency hosted an informal meeting of European Affairs Ministers, by video conference, on 1 December 2020.
