Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 December 2012
36. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 60 of 22 March 2012, if the review of the working of the election roster has been completed and if he will detail the outcomes of the review; if any actions have taken place on foot of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55883/12]
View answerInternational election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of observers for election monitoring missions. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international observation missions for both elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union (EU) and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), but have also been involved in missions organised by the Council of Europe, the United Nations and the Carter Centre. There are currently some 300 people on the Election Observation Roster. So far in 2012, 57 Irish observers have been involved in missions organised by both the EU and OSCE, in eleven countries. A review of the election roster is currently underway and my intention is to have this completed by the end of the first quarter of 2013. The review will lead to the establishment of a new roster of individuals with the right mix of skills and experience to ensure that we maintain the excellent standard of election monitoring that Ireland has established.
