Press release
Minister Murphy establishes Constituency Committee to review European Parliament constituencies
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
Mr. Eoghan Murphy, TD, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, yesterday (24 July 2018) made an order under section 5(1A) of the Electoral Act 1997 establishing an independent committee to report on European Parliament constituencies.
In accordance with the 1997 Act, the Chief Justice has nominated the Hon. Mr. Justice Robert Haughton to act as chairperson of the committee. The other members of the committee, as set out in the Act, are:
(Mr. John McCarthy)
The Committee is required to report to the chairman of the Dáil no later than two months after its establishment (i.e. by 24 September 2018).
The European Council on 28 June 2018 made a decision on the number of MEPs to be elected for the 2019–2024 parliamentary term. This provides for 13 members to be elected in Ireland, an increase from the present 11 members. A review of European Parliament constituencies is therefore necessary; this will involve, among other things, a public consultation process.
The Committee’s terms of reference are set out in the Electoral Act 1997. They are set out below:
each constituency shall return 3, 4 or 5 members
Notes
The requirement to avoid the breaching of county boundaries as far as possible is deemed not to include a reference to the boundary of a city or any boundary between any two of the counties of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin.
The total number of representatives to be elected in the State to the European Parliament specified pursuant to the Treaty on European Union is 13 in accordance with the decision of the European Council of 28 June 2018.
ENDS