Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2018
179. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has given consideration to entering into co-operation agreements with election observer NGOs (details supplied) in order that Ireland can deploy election observers to more locations outside of the OSCE member states and to countries of priority to the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43247/18]
View answerI refer the Deputy to related parliamentary questions on this matter, Question 164 of 25 October 2017 and Question 214 of 3 October 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 election observers for such missions.
Observers from the Department’s roster are deployed to election observation missions organised either by the European Union (EU) or the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe Office (OSCE). This is the only means by which my Department provides a structure to support Irish election observers. The EU and OSCE each have an acknowledged international role in election observation activities, and are recognised for their solid engagement in the consolidation of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Missions deployed by the EU and OSCE apply the highest standards of professional integrity, impartiality and independence.
Furthermore, the EU and OSCE have extensive processes, principles, codes of conduct, and practical measures to ensure safety and security. These are factors on which my Department relies not just to ensure the protection of observers in the field but also to ensure that appropriate standards of conduct are maintained by those deployed.
Both the EU and OSCE have endorsed the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation. All endorsing organisations pledge to cooperate with each other in conducting such missions. EU and OSCE missions frequently cooperate closely with NGOs such as that referred to in the question.
In addition, while drawing their own assessments and conclusions, EU and OSCE election observation missions liaise closely on the ground with local election observer groups.
As noted, a number of independent organisations also deploy monitors to observe elections throughout the world. There are Irish nationals who have deployed on such missions. However, there are no plans for my Department to deploy observers other than through the EU and OSCE.
