Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 1218: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will list in tabular form persons sent abroad since 2003 to monitor elections and referenda; the process by which election observers are appointed; if he is satisfied that the recruitment and selection procedure used is in conformity with the code of practice of the Commission for Public Service Appointments; if he is considering changes to the appointment procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32477/10]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government believes that international election monitoring missions have an important role to play in the promotion of human rights and democracy. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international observation missions for elections and constitutional referendums. Over the past six years, Ireland has provided a total of 538 observers for election missions worldwide. The missions involved have primarily been organised by the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Ireland has also been represented in missions organised by the Council of Europe, the United Nations and the Carter Centre.

Through Irish Aid, the Department of Foreign Affairs maintains a roster of volunteers for election monitoring missions. There are currently some 280 volunteers on the roster. They all have either overseas or domestic experience in the administration of elections, or have significant overseas development expertise. Their place on the roster is based on the date of their last participation in a mission. When a request for electoral observation is received, the Department seeks expressions of interest from all observers on the election roster. A list of suitably qualified observers is then drawn up, taking into account their place on the roster and any specific criteria for the mission, including relevant language proficiency. Following completion of the internal selection process, a draft list of nominees is submitted for Ministerial approval. The roster is updated as each mission is completed, to ensure that all registered volunteers have an opportunity to participate in a mission. In the case of European Union election observation missions, all candidate observers must register with the European Commission as well as with the Department of Foreign Affairs. The final selection of observers rests with the Commission, based on an approved list submitted by the Department. In the case of OSCE election observation missions, all the observers nominated by the Department are usually selected. The nomination of election observers is not covered by the code of practice of the Commission for Public Service Appointments. However, the nomination process is carried out in line with the code's principles of consistency, fairness, transparency, accountability and diversity. As with all activities supported by the Department, the election observation programme is subject to continuous monitoring to ensure that it operates efficiently and effectively and provides the best possible value for money.