Dáil Éireann - Volume 654 - 15 May, 2008

Written Answers. - European Council Meetings.

Deputy Leo Varadkar Deputy Leo Varadkar

Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Council of Ministers meetings attended by Ministers at her Department for each of the past three years in tabular form; the number of decisions made by the Council at those meetings; the number of occasions on which those decisions were decided upon by a vote; the number of occasions on which Ireland voted against a decision which was adopted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19043/08]

Deputy Mary Coughlan Deputy Mary Coughlan

  Deputy Mary Coughlan: The Council formations for which my Department has particular responsibilities are the Competitiveness Council and the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (ESPHCA).

The following Table provides relevant statistics related to the number of meetings attended by Ministers and the number of decisions taken in relation to these two Councils. The Councils recorded no formal votes during the period in question. Formal voting is generally avoided by EU Presidencies in favour of compromise and consensus by negotiation if possible.

My Department always seeks to play a constructive role in relation to all EU proposals and is anxious to ensure that Ireland’s interests are safeguarded while also being mindful of our responsibilities to the Union as a whole. In the normal process of negotiation, we may and do seek amendments or identify provisions which could be improved on or take positions on amendments sought by other Member States or the Commission.

Dáil Éireann 654 Written Answers. European Council Meetings.

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