Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The European Parliament is the world’s only transnational parliament that is directly elected. It has powers over important decisions, such as how public money is spent through the EU's common budget, and how the Single Market is regulated. We must have a strong voice in those decisions.

There are currently 751 MEPs in the EU Parliament. Brexit will result in 73 MEPs exiting the parliament as well as a reduction of one member of the Commission. The new figure will be 705, allowing for other population changes. Ireland benefits with two additional seats.

The next election will fundamentally reshape the Parliament and the long-standing centrist majority is due to be ended. Ireland needs to take a stand to resist the tides of populism. The European Court of Justice case law M. G. Eman and O. B. Sevinger v. College van burgemeester clearly states that citizens should be treated equally. Cherry-picking specific citizens outside of the State above others would clearly breach that principle of equal treatment, that is, Northern Ireland being elevated above the Irish citizens. This means the seats would have to open to all Irish citizens regardless of residency.