Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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51. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 130 of 8 October, if he will be publishing a new roster in 2014; if the current roster will be amended in any way before a new roster is brought in; if any additions can be made to the existing roster; and if not what those persons interested in participating in observation missions should do in the interim. [47783/13]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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International election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains and administers a roster of observers for such missions. The aim is to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international observation missions for both elections and constitutional referendums.

The Department carried out a comprehensive review of the election observation roster earlier this year. Following a public call for applications, and an appraisal process against published criteria, 200 individuals with a strong mix of skills and experience were selected to serve on a new roster. This new roster came into effect on 15 May 2013 for a period of five years. A reserve panel was established from which applicants will be drawn should any roster members leave the roster during the five year period.

The Department nominates roster members to participate in missions organised mainly by the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. These nominations are made following invitation by the organisations concerned. A number of international organisations, including the Carter Centre, the National Democratic Institute and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, also recruit directly for participation in election monitoring. It is open to persons interested in participating in such missions, who are not on the Department’s roster, to apply directly to these organizations if they are interested in participating in their missions.