Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question. We had the opportunity to clarify this at the Oireachtas committee yesterday. Based on taking precautionary advice that the UK may not have left the EU by the time the European elections take place, we passed legislation that was taken by the Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, through the Houses to allow for such a contingency. There will be one count - one count in Dublin for the four seats and one count in Ireland South for the five seats. Deputy Howlin is correct to state that as the UK will be contesting those elections and potentially sending people to the European Parliament if it does that, the fourth person in Dublin and the fifth person in Ireland South will not take their seats until the UK and its MEPs have left. We continue to communicate with the Commission through the Tánaiste's office as to what arrangements it is putting in place for those people. We do not expect they will be getting a salary or any benefits but what might type of arrangements might they have with the European Parliament in terms of visiting and other forms of participation? That work is continuing.

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