Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 November 2023
62. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when the competition for the new DFA election monitoring roster will be advertised; the number of places available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50378/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 international election observation missions, coordinated by the European Union (EU) and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Members of Ireland’s International Election Observation Roster play an important role in the promotion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, which are key tenets of Ireland’s foreign policy.
Ireland's current international Election Observation Roster was established on 1 January 2019 and will expire on 31 December 2023. A call for applications for the next Election Observation Roster was advertised on the Irish Aid website and the Department of Foreign Affairs' social media channels in July 2023. A high volume of eligible applications was received by the deadline of 12 August 2023. These have undergone a process of assessment conducted by representatives from the Electoral Commission, The Carter Center, and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
It is expected that the results of the assessment process will be communicated to applicants this month. It is expected that the new Roster will comprise at least 170 members and will remain in place for five years following its establishment.
