Seán Crowe
Ceist:425 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals which have been put to him by his Department, or anyone else, to deal with the reduction in the number of MEPs elected here following the passing of the Nice treaty; the discussions which have taken place on the issue; the alternative ways of electing MEPs which have been considered; his views on whether it will be necessary to redraw the constituencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25832/02]