The European Parliament this morning voted in favour of a reduction in the size of the Parliament from 751 to 705 seats for the 2019 elections.
The smaller Parliament arises as 73 UK MEPs will no longer sit in Parliament.
Mairead McGuinness MEP and first Vice-President of the Parliament welcomed the two additional seats for Ireland.
However, she said she takes no joy in the development “as it means there will be no UK MEPs after the 2019 elections – many of them were excellent to work with across a wide policy platform. “
“Twenty-seven of the UK’s 73 seats will be redistributed to member states to ensure fair representation in the 2019 elections, giving two additional seats for Ireland, which I strongly welcome,” she said.
“Today’s vote also acknowledges that the UK will not contest the 2019 elections. MEPs have recognised that as the EU is getting smaller, the European Parliament should also reduce in size.”
“This is a time of change, arising from Brexit and with the UK leaving it is positive that there will be two additional Irish voices in the European Parliament,” McGuinness said.