To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the implications for Northern Ireland of the Government's plans to introduce a list system of proportional representation for European Parliament elections. [10474]

My officials will be considering whether it would be in Northern Ireland's best interests to be included in any British system of PR for European parliamentary elections, or whether Northern Ireland should retain its existing model of PR or something similar. The overriding criterion will be what is best for Northern Ireland. I would be interested to receive the views of the Northern Ireland parties on this matter.