Ireland had been due to be one of the beneficiaries of the UK leaving the bloc by gaining seats in the Brussels chamber, however a six month extension to Article 50 has almost guaranteed Britain’s reluctant participation on May 23-26. Constituencies in Dublin and Ireland South (Munster and south Leinster) were expected to gain an MEP, and Mr Varadkar wants to ensure it does by being prepared for every eventuality.
The Taoiseach said: "What we might have to do on the day of the count is count the votes twice.”
He insisted the ballot papers would be tallied when the people of Ireland go to the polls on May 24 “once as though it might be a five seat” constituency if the UK does not take part in the elections and “one as if it were a four seat” constituency if Britain does take part.
Mr Varadkar, speaking at the Irish Distillers facility in Midleton, Co Cork added: "At the moment Fine Gael has four seats - our ambition is to hold those four seats.
Leo Varadkar is concerned Ireland will have to count votes twice in EU elections (Image: GETTY)
"There are extra seats to make some gains. What we are going to have to do
