Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

I support Deputy Deasy's suggestions regarding volunteering. However, it should not be left to each NGO to structure the experience of volunteers. There is great space for an agency to identify the essential features of a volunteering experience. We might not say it, but we know the NGOs differ with regard to the experience they offer volunteers. It should not be left a casual matter.

There are areas in which we could be far more involved. In Haiti, for example, elections are due to take place. We have a very antiquated roster structure for observing elections. I am on the roster and I am regularly asked, at just a week's or two weeks' notice, to go to some country such as a Spanish speaking country. In the places I have been sent I noticed ex-county managers, ex-county secretaries, a large number of former gardaí and so forth. This community is no doubt gifted and has rich experience but they are not exclusive of all the experience that is available in our society. This could be an area of expertise. There are elections taking place somewhere on the planet every day. Observing them is a skill in which people could be trained. Canada's human rights centre produces a handbook on election monitoring for long-term and short-term observers.

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