Madam, - Anthony Coughlan's letter of January 4th about Ireland's future representation within the European Commission must not go unanswered.
It is clearly stated in the EU Reform Treaty that from 2014 onwards all member-states of the EU, both the larger and smaller countries, will have representation within the European Commission on a strictly equal basis.
The treaty states that membership of the European Commission will be equal to two-thirds the number of member-states of the European Union. In other words, if the EU in 2014 has 27 members, then between 2014 and 2019 the number of countries represented within the Commission will be 18.
Put simply, under these new rules, smaller states such as Ireland, Malta, Cyprus and Luxembourg will have the exact same level of representation within the European Commission as Germany, France, Britain and Italy. None of the scenarios pointed out by Mr Coughlan can alter this fact.
This new treaty is about the European Union bringing in new rules which will simplify, update and modernise how decisions are taken at a European level. Reforming how the European Commission carries out its business is part of this process.
After 50 years, the EU, like any other organisation, needs to reform the way it functions so that it can meet the new challenges facing Europe and the world in a more effective manner. - Yours, etc,
BRIAN CROWLEY MEP,
President, UEN Political Group,
European Parliament,
Dublin 2.