Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 Jan 1994

Vol. 437 No. 7

Written Answers. - European Parliament Electoral Procedures.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

51 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the views of the Irish Government on the proposals which the European Parliament has put to the EC Council concerning changes in the procedure for elections to the European Parliament; if changes in the electoral procedures will be in place before the 1994 elections; if he intends to introduce legislation to ratify the decision of the Edinburgh Summit which increases the number of seats in the Parliament for all member states except Denmark, Ireland and Luxembourg; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

Article 138 (b) of the EC Treaty requires the European Parliament to draw-up proposals for the establishment of a uniform procedure for election to the Parliament which will apply in all member states. The European Union Treaty which came into force on 1 November 1993 provides that the Council will lay down the appropriate provisions with the assent of the Parliament.

On 10 March 1993 the Parliament adopted a resolution proposing a uniform procedure. This procedure would be based on proportional representation and a list system. The Council of Ministers has yet to debate the proposals from Parliament. I think it is most unlikely that in the time remaining before the European Parliament elections, the Council will be able to adopt a position on Parliament's proposals and secure its assent to that position.

Ireland will give careful consideration to the Parliament's proposals when they come to be debated in Council. The principle that the electoral system should be based on a system of proportional representation which is fundamental to the Parliament's position, is one which we share. Nevertheless, electoral procedures are particularly sensitive and existing procedures are rooted in the historical development of democracy in each member state. Consequently, I anticipate a complex debate in the Council on the details of Parliament's proposal and extensive exchanges with the Parliament before agreement is reached.

The agreement at the Edinburgh European Council to increase the number of members of the European Parliament was given effect by a Council decision on 1 February last. This decision is directly applicable under Community law and its implementation does not require legislation in Ireland as there is no change in the number of Irish MEP's.