I wish to announce for the information of the House that four Members of the Dáil have been elected to the European Parliament, namely, Deputies Barry Cowen, Kathleen Funchion, Michael McNamara and Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. Pursuant to the European Parliament Elections Act, the Deputies will cease to be Members of the Dáil when they take up their seats at the first sitting of the European Parliament, which is likely to be on 16 July. Accordingly, vacancies will then exist in the following constituencies: Laois-Offaly, Carlow-Kilkenny, Clare and Dublin Bay North.
