Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2018
149. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if all members of election monitoring panels are informed of the make-up of each election monitoring delegation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30793/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraInternational election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. Accordingly, my Department maintains a roster of potential participants in election monitoring missions. The aim is to ensure that, in response to requests for Irish participation in international missions observing elections and certain referenda, there is a pool of adequately experienced people who could contribute effectively to such missions on either a short or long term basis. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union (EU) and also those organised by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
If a Roster Member applies to participate in an Election Observation Mission (EOM), they are individually notified if they are nominated for that EOM. In the case of EU EOMs, the Commission will notify the nominated Roster Member as to whether they are selected to participate on the EOM. This information is not circulated to the full Roster as there are important concerns about the release of personal data in terms of legislation and security to third parties. Circulating such information about individual observers would require the consent of observers and doing so without their consent may be in breach of EU General Data Protection Regulation.
