Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

65. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 78 of 20 February 2013, the number of male and female applicants that applied to join the Election Observation Roster; the number of male and female applicants that were interviewed for places on the roster; the various shortlisting factors and weight attached to each that determined which applicants would be interviewed; the number of male and female applicants that were interviewed that were placed on the roster; the number of complaints received, if any, regarding the way the shortlisting or interviews were conducted; whether there is any appeal channel open to applicants not shortlisted for interview or those not successful at interview; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28792/13]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has recently carried out a review of the election observation roster. Following a call for applications, which was issued by the Department, a total of 295 applications were received. 100 were from female applicants and 195 from male applicants. Applications were appraised against the four published criteria: language skills (in particular a good working knowledge of French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic or Portuguese); experience of elections and/or as an election observer; knowledge of human rights and democratisation issues; and experience of living and working in challenging conditions. Equal weighting was attached to each of the criteria.

The applications were independently scored by two individuals, external to the Department, and ranked according to the average of the two scores awarded to their application. Given the number of eligible applications, the selection process was confined to an assessment of the written applications.

On completion of the selection process, 200 individuals with a strong mix of skills and experience were selected to serve on a new roster, which came into effect on 15 May 2013. 130 members of the new roster are male and 70 are female.

In the event that any unsuccessful applicant for the election observation roster wishes to appeal the selection decision, a final review of the application will be carried out by a senior Department official who was not involved in the selection process. The final review will be completed within ten working days of receipt of the appeal. To date, one such review has been completed at the request of an applicant. One further applicant is in correspondence with the Department regarding the selection process and has indicated he may request an appeal.