The European Parliament Elections Bill, 1993, is a short technical Bill amending European elections law. The changes provided for in the Bill will apply at the next elections to the European Parliament due to be held in June 1994. The Bill deals with the following matters; first, extending the right to stand as candidates at European elections to EC nationals resident in Ireland in accordance with the provisions of the Maastricht Treaty; second, the transfer of a seat from the Munster to the Leinster constituency in accordance with the recommendations of the independent commission set up to revise the European constituencies and, third, clarifying and recasting the procedure for filling casual vacancies to strengthen the role of the individual replacement candidate.
Prior to consideration of Committee Stage it should be noted that, in addition to amendments put down by the Minister for the Environment, amendments have been tabled by Deputies Hogan, McManus, Molloy and Sargent. The text of all amendments can be found on the list of amendments circulated this morning. We will now commence Committee Stage of the Bill.