Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1040: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm the date for the holding of the next European Parliament elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2427/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The timing of European Parliament elections is determined by the EU Council of Ministers by reference to the period corresponding to the first direct elections in 1979. Accordingly, they are held within a specified four-day period in June every five years subsequent to 1979. The Council announced in June 2008 that the 2009 European Parliament elections will take place between 4 and 7 June 2009.

Each member state must fix a polling date within this period and, although a formal decision has not been made in the matter, I expect that, as on previous occasions, polling at the European Parliament and local elections will take place on the same day in June 2009. I will make a statement in relation to polling day as soon as possible.