Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 37: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the fact that in September of this year Angola will hold its legislative elections, if he will commit himself to supporting the case being made for the need to have a substantial independent team of observers monitoring the election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23289/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Government engages in electoral preparation and monitoring activity under the auspices of official EU Election Observation Missions. No decision has been taken yet by the EU to send an Election Observer Mission to Angola. Ireland would give favourable consideration to the organisation and deployment of an Election Observation Mission to Angola. The issue will need to be considered by EU Member States in the overall context of elections taking place this year in Africa and indeed elsewhere, and the availability of resources. In a recent positive development, European Commission President Barroso visited Angola last month and, in a meeting with President José Eduardo dos Santos, stated that the EU will consider the deployment of a team of experts to assist Angola in its electoral endeavours, if so requested by the Angolan Government. Should this request be received from the Angolan authorities prior to the legislative elections, Ireland will consider contributing experts through the established EU channels.