Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount it costs for Ireland to affiliate to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1142/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Ireland was one of the founding members of the OSCE in 1973. It is the world's largest intergovernmental regional security organisation, comprising of 57 member states dealing with a range of issues in the areas of democratisation, human rights, arms control and economic and environmental security. Building on our own experience in peacemaking, peace building and security issues Ireland is committed to and places a strong emphasis on conflict prevention and resolution internationally and values the OSCE as a forum in which all European states ( and the Us and Canada) can participate on the basis of full equality. Ireland is a modest contributor to the OSCE and makes a contribution in two parts every year in order to remain affiliated to this organisation.

In 2012 EUR 566,531.15 was received on 18 January 2012 and EUR 525,870.62 received on 10 April 2012 this resulted in a total of EUR 1,092,401.77 contributed to the OSCE in 2012.