Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2018
153. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason Ireland has scaled back the number of observers it is sending to the 2018 elections in Georgia compared to previous elections in 2013 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45171/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraInternational 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. 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 and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Following a request from the OSCE to nominate election observers in respect of the Presidential Elections in Georgia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade circulated the call to members of the Election Roster. Following receipt and consideration of applications, the Department nominated one Long-Term Observers and five Short-Term Observers to observe these Elections. The number of observers nominated is in line with the numbers nominated for other OSCE Election Observation Missions.
Information relating to the number of observers deployed is periodically published on the Department’s Election Observation webpage and is updated after observers have deployed to the Election Observation Mission.
The number of observers which deployed to Election Observation Missions in Georgia in 2013, 2016, and 2018 are listed in the following table.
|
Year |
Long-term Observers |
Short-term Observers |
Total |
|
2013 |
1 |
10 |
11 |
|
2016 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
|
2018 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
