Vol. 486 No. 6
280 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make provision for briefings to Deputies on items to be discussed by the Justice and Home Affairs EU Council of Ministers or its related committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3332/98]
Systematic briefings along the lines referred to, on matters to be discussed at meetings, have not been a feature of the operation of the Justice and Home Affairs EU Council of Ministers. I am not aware that such briefings are a regular feature of any meetings of the EU Council of Ministers at which Ministers of the Government attend.
Of course, I attach great importance to keeping the Oireachtas informed generally of important developments at EU level. This can continue to be done through the existing Oireachtas machinery.
