Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

The intention is that new member states will participate in the elections in 2004, but this will depend on their ratification processes. A number of them have to hold referenda. Assuming the results are all positive, the intention is that they will participate fully in 2004. That was one of the points we made during the debate on the referendum. It is important that they are not denied their opportunity to do so. As the seats arising in the case of Bulgaria and Romania will not be filled in the elections in 2004, there will be a redistribution, under the terms of which we will have 13 rather than 12 seats.