Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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349. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there will be a review of European election constituency boundaries following the provision of two extra MEPs to Ireland; the timeline for the undertaking of the boundary review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29593/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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On 28 June 2018, the European Council adopted a decision on the composition of the European Parliament for the 2019-2024 parliamentary term. This provides for 13 members to be elected in Ireland, an increase from the present 11 members.

The Electoral Act 1997 (as amended) provides for the establishment of a commission to review European Parliament constituencies in the context of a change in the number of MEPs to be elected in Ireland. The provisions generally mirror those in place for a Constituency Commission, including the membership, but with shorter timelines for receipt of submissions and for presentation of a report to the Chairman of the Dáil (within two months of establishment).

I have written to the Chief Justice seeking his nomination for a Chairperson for the Commission and I intend to establish a Commission to review the constituencies as soon as practicable after receiving the nomination.