Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 8: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will indicate whether Irish observers will be present at the forthcoming Ethiopian elections [20930/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The elections in Ethiopia on 23 May represent an important step in the country's democratic development. Opposition parties are contesting the elections throughout the country and 30 million Ethiopians have registered to vote. However, the violent aftermath of the last elections in 2005 left a disappointing and difficult legacy. We are following developments closely and Irish observers are participating in the European Union elections observation mission.

In February, the European Commission sought nominations from member states for experienced election observers to participate in the European Union election observation mission in Ethiopia. It is Government policy to consider such requests positively. Since 2004, more than 500 Irish election observers have participated in more than 80 election observation missions.

In response to the Commission's request, we nominated six long-term observers and seven short-term observers for the current mission in Ethiopia. Of these nominations, the European Commission selected six observers, three of whom are long-term observers and are based in Ethiopia from 23 April to 3 June. Three are short-term observers based in the country from 14 to 29 May. All of the Irish observers are highly experienced.

The EU observation mission consists of 90 long-term observers and 60 short-term observers drawn from all the member states. I am confident the Irish observers will play an important role in the mission and will make a positive contribution to the development of democratic accountability in Ethiopia.

Despite some notable achievements in poverty reduction, Ethiopia remains one of the poorest countries in the world. It has a large and growing population dependent on subsistence farming. Many people remain unable to provide enough food for themselves. Vulnerability to food supply shocks is acute and last year 6 million people required emergency food assistance. This is the context in which Ethiopia will hold its fourth parliamentary and regional elections.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I know the value of having observers as I was one with the EU group in Cambodia some years ago and it was very important. The Minister of State mentioned the enormous scale of the elections, which I accept. All Irish aid to Ethiopia, whether for the public works scheme or the scheme aimed at reducing malnutrition, is very valuable but with 47% of the population living under the poverty line, it is a huge task.

When I was in Cambodia with the EU delegation, we met the EU ambassadors at an early stage so they could give us assistance in reading the situation in the different regions. I went to Kampong Chhnang. I understand severe restrictions have been placed on a number of European Union embassies in regard to travel in Ethiopia. That is a severe disability not only for the embassies, but for the observer missions from the different European Union countries. I understand one of the leaders of the opposition, I believe the leader of Unity for Democracy and Justice, has been recommitted to prison, which is very difficult.

There is a gap of approximately three weeks between the polling day and the announcement of the results. What will happen during that period? Will the African innovation which has happened in recent times of posting the turnout outside the polling station take place in Ethiopia? Will it be available to the observers?

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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In regard to the restrictions on EU embassies, is there co-ordination between the EU embassies and is there a role for facilitation by the high representative? Has there been some intervention at that level?

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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I am very disturbed by the implications of the Minister of State's reply. In regard to the 2005 elections, the announcement from Addis Ababa by the head of the EU observer mission on the basis of a partial count had consequences which can only be described as disastrous.

After the 2005 elections, the announcement from Addis Ababa by the EU observer mission on the basis of a partial count had consequences that could only be described as disastrous. It is now accepted within the European Union that the mission represented a singular failure in election observation. The problem about the disparity in party support between the capital and rural areas was such that the announcement of partial results was interpreted as national.

This is a very sensitive issue. As the Carter Institute has not sent election observers to Ethiopia even though it has a fine record in this area, it is important that partial statements are not made.