Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 9

Written Answers. - Elections to European Parliament.

Phil Hogan

Question:

119 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment if he will be making any proposals to the Council of Ministers to introduce uniformity for elections to the European Parliament in view of the fragmentation and diversity of the existing electoral systems in the Community; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

Article 138 (3) of the Treaties establishing the European Communities, as amended by the Treaty on European Union — the Maastricht Treaty — provides that the European Parliament shall draw up proposals for uniform procedures for elections to the Parliament. It also provides that the Council, acting unanimously after obtaining the assent of a majority of members of the Parliament, shall lay down the appropriate provisions which it shall recommend to member states for adoption in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements.

While the Parliament has adopted a resolution setting out broad principles for electoral procedure, the immediate priority for the Council in the electoral area is to put arrangements in place for the exercise of the right conferred on EC nationals by Article 8b2 of the Maastricht Treaty to vote and stand as candidates in the member states of residence at the 1994 and future European elections. The European Parliament Elections Bill, 1993, which was presented to the Dáil last week, will enable that right to be exercised here. Ireland's representatives will, of course, participate fully in the consideration of detailed proposals for a uniform electoral procedure at the appropriate time. It may be taken, however, that such a procedure will not be in place for the European Parliament elections to be held in 1994.