Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies for their contributions. I wish to clarify that the allocation of seats in the Parliament for each member state was set down in the European Council decision of 28 June 2013. What we are doing in this Bill is implementing the contents of that decision in the form of a boundary commission report, which was presented to the Ceann Comhairle last September. Many issues were raised in the context of the electoral system and with regard to the matters that are going inform what will be a very keenly contested campaign. I look forward to these issues being elucidated further during the course of that campaign, which will take place in the run-up to the elections that are due to take place on 23 May next.

See this speech in context