Election Monitoring Missions

Wednesday, 13 January 2021

Questions (374)

Patrick Costello

Question:

374. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way in which it is possible for an Irish election observer to obtain top marks in independent tests with the official election bodies of OSCE and EU yet the same tests administered by Irish Aid officials on a candidate (details supplied) placed the candidate much lower than other Irish observers who failed the OSCE and EU tests; his views on whether this suggests flaws in the competition run by his Department; his further views on whether the matter should be independently investigated; if so, if an independent investigation will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45026/20]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs

The Department has checked its records, which do not appear to indicate a person of that name put themselves forward for consideration for membership of the volunteer Election Observation Roster under the most recent mustering. My officials would be happy to follow up with the Deputy directly.