Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2010
240 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the number of Council of the European Union’s meetings that she was entitled to attend in the past three years; the number of Council meetings she attended; the number of same that were attended by officials in her place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19133/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince my appointment as Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport in March this year, there was one formal meeting of the Education, Youth and Culture Council which I was entitled to attend on 10th May 2010. I had planned to attend this meeting but unfortunately I was unable to do so due to pressing domestic tourism commitments relating to the volcanic ash disruption. Senior officials deputised on my behalf at this meeting. For the Deputy's information, I participated in an ad hoc video conference with EU Tourism Ministers on 28 April to discuss the impact on tourism business across the EU as a result of the volcanic ash disruption.
