Enda Kenny
Ceist:11 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of General Affairs Council meetings held in the six months to February 1999; and the attendance of Ministers at these meetings. [4382/99]
Written Answers. - General Affairs Council Meetings.
Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews): Since 1 July 1998, the General Affairs Council has met on six occasions, on 13 and 14 July, on 5 and 6 October, on 26 October, on 9 and 10 November, on 6, 7 and 8 December 1998 and on 25 January 1999. I represented Ireland at all of the council's meetings in the past six months with the exception of the meeting on 5 and 6 October last, when I was unable to be present, as I was accompanying President McAleese on her State Visit to Canada. On that occasion, Ireland was represented by Deputy Cullen, Minister of State at the Department of Finance.
The meeting of the council on Monday, 7 and Tuesday, 8 December last was preceded by a conclave held on Sunday, 6 December, which was devoted to a special discussion on Agenda 2000. On that occasion. I was accompanied by the Minister of State, Deputy Frank Fahey.