Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 1

Written Answers. - EU Presidency.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

172 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if any of the EU meetings at ministerial level will be held in the Border region during the Irish Presidency of the EU for the six months from 1 January 2004; the locations at which these meetings will be held outside Dublin; the number of the approximately 200 which will be held in counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan or Monaghan; the venues for all such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29071/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

As well as in Dublin, ministerial level meetings will be held in counties Galway, Wicklow, Laois, Clare, Kildare, Offaly, Louth, Limerick, Kerry, Cork and Waterford, including a broadband ministerial conference hosted by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in Dundalk.

The calendar shows two official level meetings taking place in County Donegal. The Department of Social and Family Affairs will host a conference on migration in Bundoran and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will host a meeting on innovation in small firms in Letterkenny. At present, there are no meetings scheduled for Leitrim, Cavan or Monaghan.

Tom Hayes

Ceist:

173 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if south Tipperary has been considered for meetings during the Irish Presidency of the EU from January to June 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29072/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

During the Irish Presidency of the European Union meetings are scheduled to take place in many different locations throughout the country. However, at present, there are no meetings scheduled for the south Tipperary area.