Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 10: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised concerns over the conduct of the March Presidential election in Russia and subsequent treatment of protesters with the Russian authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17202/12]

Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 24: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on allegations of fraud in the recent presidential election in Russia; if he will raise this matter at EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17173/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 24 together.

The Russian Federation Presidential Elections took place on 4 March and were the subject of an extensive monitoring mission conducted principally by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), together with partners from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

The mission issued a preliminary report on 5 March which noted that the presidential election was marked by unequal campaign conditions but also that the campaign had seen significant civic engagement, including an increased focus on election observation. It was evident from this report that while steps had been taken to address some of the shortcomings identified in the State Duma elections late last year, more work by the Russian authorities needs to be done.

EU High Representative Ashton issued a statement on 5 March in which she noted the preliminary results of the presidential elections and the clear victory of Vladimir Putin. She commented that international election observers had noted the significant civic engagement in the campaign and that authorities allowed protests to take place without undue interference, but had also identified shortcomings and irregularities in the preparations and conduct of the elections and that voters' choice was limited. The EU encouraged Russia to address these shortcomings.

On the question of demonstrations that took place before the elections and since then, I welcome the engagement of the authorities with the opposition in authorising demonstrations and commend the peaceful manner in which they have been conducted. It is important that the right to peaceful protest is fully respected and that the authorities respond openly and quickly to allegations of improper treatment.

I have not been in direct communication with the Russian authorities on the conduct of the elections but I would encourage them to take full account of the concerns that have been aired both within Russia and by its partners.