Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2018
36. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the result of the election monitoring panel competition which closed on 20 August 2018; the number of monitors nominated; the way in which his Department will conduct competitions in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40865/18]
View answerI refer the Deputy to the response to a previous parliamentary question on this matter, Question 69 of 7 September 2018, as well as to responses to the following related parliamentary questions: Questions 103 and 104 of 24 July 2018, Questions 57 and 58 of 3 July 2018, Question 107 of 24 April 2018 and Question 16 of 25 January 2018.
International 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 on international observation missions for elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union or the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
The call for applications to establish a new election observation roster was issued on 2 July. A total of 395 applications were received by the deadline of 17.30 on the 20 August 2018.
All applications were subject to screening to confirm that they met the essential criteria, as set out in the Volunteer Information Booklet.
The appraisal process has not yet been concluded. Training is now being put in place for the appraisal panels which will assess all those applications which met the aforementioned essential criteria. Language proficiency will also be verified. Once the appraisal process is complete, prior to being placed on the roster all successful applicants will be required to undergo vetting by An Garda Síochána or the appropriate policing authority.
As the current process remains ongoing, no consideration has been given at this stage as how future replenishments of the election observation roster would be managed.
