Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 April 2017
56. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has satisfied himself with the workings of the election observation roster operated by his Department in view of questions surrounding selections of rosters without interviews including updating the current list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18229/17]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains and administers a roster of observers for election observation missions, organised in the main by the EU and OSCE.
The current election observation roster was established in May 2013, following a review of the previous roster and a public call for applications. The Information Note for Applicants which accompanied the call, stated that should a large number of applicants meet the minimum eligibility requirements, a smaller number would be interviewed. In the event, just 263 eligible applications were received for a roster to comprise 200 individuals, with 10 reserve panelists. As a result, it was decided that and interview stage would not be necessary and the selection process was carried out on the basis of the written applications.
For each election mission, the EU or OSCE set out their specific requirements and, on the basis of expressions of interest from roster members, the Department draws up a list of applicants. In selecting nominees to be put forward, the specific criteria set by the EU or OSCE, including relevant local and regional experience, language proficiency, gender and length of time since serving on a mission, provide the main bases for decision-making.
Overall, Irish nominees have a high success rate and in 2016, a total of 68 observers participated in OSCE and EU Election Observation Missions.
I am confident that the roster is well equipped to deal with the requirements of the EU and OSCE. We envisage that the current roster will operate until May 2018, but will be kept under review. Details regarding the next call for roster members will be published on the Irish Aid website (www.irishaid.ie) later this year.
