Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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80. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland was requested, through the EU, OSCE or otherwise to take part in or assist in any form international election observer monitoring in Zimbabwe as part of its presidential election in July 2013 and August 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37239/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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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 on 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. Election observations missions for the Presidential elections in Zimbabwe in July were limited to Zimbabwean and wider African organisations. Ireland did not receive a request to participate in an election observation mission. The most significant missions undertaken were by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU) and the Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network (ZESN).

In their preliminary assessments, both the SADC and AU observation missions emphasised the peaceful conduct of the elections. Both missions acknowledged weaknesses in the electoral process, particularly in regard to the late publication of the voters’ roll, the large numbers of voters being turned away, and the high number of assisted voters. In their preliminary report, the ZESN cited similar concerns and expressed the view that “the election was seriously compromised by a systematic effort to disenfranchise an estimated million voters”. A statement on 22 August by the EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the European Union, commended the people of Zimbabwe on the conduct of peaceful elections. The EU welcomed the constructive role played by the SADC, the AU and domestic observers during the electoral process and shared the serious concerns raised in their initial assessments.

On 2 September, the SADC observation mission published its final report, which broadly endorsed the election as “free, peaceful and generally credible”. Ireland and our partners in the European Union are now considering our position on Zimbabwe, most notably in respect of the restrictive measures which were introduced by the EU in the aftermath of the political violence which surrounded the previous election in 2008. In doing so we will continue to consult with regional partners and organisations, particularly SADC and the AU. The EU has underlined the importance and need to continue strengthening reforms in Zimbabwe to ensure that future elections are fully transparent and credible as well as peaceful. Our goal is to support the Zimbabwean people in achieving a more prosperous and democratic Zimbabwe, and to work towards the full normalisation of relations between Zimbabwe and the EU. I look forward to discussing this issue with my EU colleagues at the Foreign Affairs Council in the near future.