Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 60: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will confirm the number of persons currently on the Irish Overseas Election Observation Panel; if he will confirm if the panel is still open, and if not when it is expected to be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15961/12]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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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. Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of observers for election monitoring missions. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international observation missions for elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), but have also been involved in missions organised by the Council of Europe, the United Nations and the Carter Centre.

There are currently 300 people on the Department's Election Observation Roster. In 2011, 61 observers from the roster participated on 15 missions organised by the EU and the OSCE. The roster is currently not open for new members. However, I am aware of interest in the roster and of the need to identify new members with specific skills, especially language skills. I have asked officials to review the working of the roster and to prepare proposals over the coming weeks on future membership.