Election Monitoring Missions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 July 2013

Wednesday, 3 July 2013

Ceisteanna (64)

Andrew Doyle

Ceist:

64. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No.120 of 11 June 2013, the names of persons whom his Department sent on the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe election observation mission to oversee the presidential elections in Mongolia on 26 June 2013; the costs that each person will incur; if he will outline in tabular form the expenses of each person; the activity of the mission during the election and to report on their outcome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32333/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

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 in international observation missions for both elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. However, they have also been involved in missions organised by the Council of Europe, the United Nations and the Carter Centre.

A list in tabular form of the persons sent on the election observation mission to observe the Presidential elections in Mongolia, as Short Term Observers, STO, is set out as follows.

-	Role	Forename	Surname	Cost
Mongolia	STO	Theresa	Reidy	€5528
Mongolia	STO	Joseph	Scanlon	€5528
Mongolia	STO	Ronán	O'Brien	€5528

The election observation mission to Mongolia is ongoing. The observers are required to submit a report on their return to Ireland at the end of the mission.