Election Monitoring Missions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020

Tuesday, 8 September 2020

Ceisteanna (453)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

453. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the members from Ireland on the national election observation roster by the county submitted on the application forms as of 30 March 2020; the country submitted on the application forms of each in cases of overseas observers; the due diligence applied prior to appointment of persons to the roster in tabular form; if his attention has been drawn to allegations that some members on the roster were involved in fake election activities while appointed to the roster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21205/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

I refer the Deputy to the response to Parliamentary Questions No. 338 and No. 342 of 21 July in answer to which details of the members of the election observation roster were provided. That response notes that consideration was given to providing further information beyond the names of the members (including their residences) and it was not determined to be in the public interest to do so. All roster members were subject to vetting, with the Garda National Vetting Bureau engaged, and cleared for membership.