EU Presidency

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 February 2012

Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Ceisteanna (194)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

193 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the preparations he has undertaken for the Irish Presidency of the EU Council in January 2013; the amount of money spent on EU Council Presidency-related activities to date in 2012; the estimated expenditure up to December 2012; the budget for the six-month Presidency specifically; the additional staff he has undertaken; the number of re-assigned staff he has undertaken; the estimated future staff requirements for the Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8838/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Pat Rabbitte)

Preparations for the Irish Presidency of the EU Council are underway in my Department. While there has been no specific expenditure on Presidency related activities to date provision has been made for such activities in 2012 including any additional staff costs that may arise. Presidency resource requirements for 2013 will be determined as part of the overall resource allocation within my Department's Vote for 2013. I am not in a position to indicated the level of this provision at this stage.