Election Monitoring Missions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023

Monday, 11 September 2023

Ceisteanna (54)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

54. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of members of the current roster of election monitors, which is due to end in December 2023; the number of short-term observers monitoring requests sent by his Department to roster members since this roster came into effect; the number of first-time members of this roster; the number of first-time members of this roster who were accepted to serve as short-term observers on monitoring missions; the number of first-time roster members who have not been invited to serve as short-term observers, or other missions so far during this roster; the number of roster members who have served as short-term observers on two or more missions during this roster; the number of roster members who have quit the roster during its term; if he accepts that the length of this roster should have been extended by at least one year to allow for the impact of Covid-19; and his plans to amend, improve and reform the future operation of the Irish election monitoring panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38752/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs

The Department of Foreign Affairs maintains and administers a voluntary roster of suitably skilled and vetted individuals who are available to participate at short notice in election observation missions, organised by the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

The current international Election Observation Roster was established for a period of five years, from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2023.  When established, the Roster comprised 203 members, 107 of whom had not been members of the previous Roster. Nine members have left the Roster to date. 

The Department has circulated 35 calls for participation in Election Observation Missions since January 2019.   104 of the 194 Roster members have participated as short term observers in this period.  16 of these participated in two missions.  45 of the participants were first time observers. 

In addition, 41 new Roster members applied to participate as first time observers but 4 were not selected by the EU or OSCE following nomination and 37 have not yet been nominated by the Department.

In 2019, the Department’s Evaluation and Audit Unit completed a review of the Election Observation Roster.  The review report is available on the Department’s website at EOM-review-DCAD-FINAL-Report.pdf (dfa.ie) and contains eighteen recommendations.  Of these, ten have been implemented and eight are in progress or under consideration.

I am satisfied with the decision to establish a new Roster, with effect from 1 January 2024, as originally planned.  265 applications were received to join the new Roster and are currently being appraised.