I hear that the big countries are out to get the small ones with regard to MEPs. From the next European election, depending on numbers, we will have one MEP for every 350,000 Irish citizens while Germany will have one MEP for every 826,000 citizens. Who is getting the better deal? Regarding the European Commission, from 2005 each member state, large or small, will get one commissioner for the first time ever. The five larger states are giving up a commissioner and for the first time large and small will be equal. Moreover, if this should change in the future – that has to be negotiated and agreed by unanimity – it can only operate on the basis of absolute equality between large and small. There is no hegemony of the large over the small, no prior right of the large over the small and no superior right of the large over the small in the treaty formula.