From 2014, the number of commissioners will be reduced. Appointments will be made on a system of equal rotation so Ireland will appoint a commissioner in two out of every three commissions from 2014 onwards.
The number of MEPs in the European Parliament will fall from 785 to 750 (plus the president) from 2009. Germany gets most MEPs (96) and Malta is allocated fewest (six). Ireland gets 12 (down one).
Some 60 policy areas move from unanimity (where veto is possible) to qualified majority voting at the Council of Ministers. The European Parliament gains a right to co-legislate in most of these areas, particularly in the justice and agricultural field.
New “double majority” voting system for decisions made at the Council of Ministers – a qualified majority will normally consist of 55 per cent of the member states comprising at least 65 per cent of the Union’s population.
A new permanent post of president of the European council is created. He or she has a 2.5 year term of office, renewable once.
A citizens’ initiative will enable one million citizens to put forward a petition asking the commission to bring forward a particular legislative proposal in any area under its responsibility.
National parliaments get more time to scrutinise EU proposals.
Under a new “yellow card” system, if one-third of national parliaments considers a particular commission proposal breaches the principle of subsidiarity, whereby decisions should be taken at the lowest possible level, it must be reviewed. A simple majority of national parliaments can ask the council and European Parliament to vote to reject the commission proposal.
The Council of Ministers will meet in public when it deliberates and votes on draft legislation.