In Northern Ireland, two of the three existing MEPs are stepping down at this election.

Rev Ian Paisley of the Democratic Unionist Party - who topped the poll in 1999 - has announced his intentions to step down from the Brussels parliament.

In his place, the DUP is fielding Jim Allister, who has been highlighting his message of "putting Ulster first".

The second placed candidate in 1999, the SDLP's John Hume, is also stepping down.  Hume's nomination has been taken by Martin Morgan.

The only candidate seeking re-election in Ulster today is Jim Nicholson of the Ulster Unionist Party, who has the advantage of being able to highlight his record in Brussels over recent years.

For Sinn Fein, Bairbre de Brun is seeking election, with the party hoping to make gains across the island of Ireland.

Other candidates on the ballot paper include Lindsay Whitcroft of the Green Party, Eamonn McCann of the Socialist Environmental Alliance and independent John Gilliland.