Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 April 2022
228. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the number of staff within his Department who are based and working with the European Union in Brussels; their present roles and responsibilities; the posts and responsibilities that are presently vacant; the corresponding figures on 23 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19043/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently four member’s of staff who are based and working with the European Union in Brussels.
The role of the Department’s representatives in the Permanent Representation Office (Perm Rep) is to represent Ireland's interests in the European Union on matters relating to transport. Three members of my Department are currently in the Perm Rep and based in Brussels on secondment to the Department of Foreign Affairs - one Principal Officer, one Assistant Principal Officer and one Administrative Officer.
The role of the Principal Officer (also titled DOT Counsellor) includes responsibility for ensuring appropriate representation in relation to civil aviation, maritime transport, land transport, intermodal transport issues, promotion and protection of Ireland's interest in the EU and responsibility for management of staff in the Permanent Representative.
The role of the officer at the Assistant Principal grade involves the negotiation and furtherance of Irish interests in the sectors under the Department's remit, interacting with community institutions, informal communication between the institutions and the Department as well as general responsibility for EU matters in the area of transport.
The role of the officer at the Administrative Officer grade includes representing Ireland at transport related working groups as assigned by the DOT Counsellor, regular reporting and information exchange with officials of the Department, preparation of precise briefs for both the Ambassador and the Minister for meetings of the committee of Permanent Representatives and the Council of Ministers respectively, and maintenance of relations with the principal institutions of the Union and the European Parliament.
There are no roles currently vacant for Departmental staff in the Permanent Representation office.
The Department also has one staff member in a seconded national expert post in the European Commission, titled Directorate General for Mobility and Transport. Responsibilities include policy and legislative development toward road safety, monitoring of the application of EU road safety legislation by member states, supporting promotion and awareness-raising activities, completing the transposition control and launching potential infringements where necessary, contributing to the preparation of relevant committees and expert groups, launching preparatory works to adapt to technical progress and preparing reports to Council and Parliament as required by Directives.
There were three staff members seconded to the Perm Rep office on the 23rd of June 2016. One Principal Officer, one Assistant Principal and one Administrative Officer. Tourism and sport functions were also within the remit of the Department's representatives at that time.
