NO MEPs stood for election to the 28th Dail. In fact, three outgoing dual-mandate TDs opted for Europe rather than Kildare Street, and all Irish MEPs are now single-mandate members. The situation elsewhere was quite different.
In France, the result of the recent election sees four MEPs joining the government: Elisabeth Guigou, who had been one of Parliament's observers at the IGC, becomes minister of justice - Garde des Sceaux - one of the most senior positions; Catherine Trautmann, mayor of Strasbourg, becomes minister for culture and communications, and government spokesperson. There are two junior ministers: Pierre Moscovici becomes minister for European affairs; and Dr Bernard Kouchner, founder of Medecins sans Frontieres, becomes secretary of state for health.
In the UK elections, Anne Mclntosh (EPP, Essex North and Suffolk South) becomes Westminster MP for the Yorkshire dales. A number of former MEPs are now members of the Blair administration, but none have come straight from Brussels.