Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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32. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the rapidly moving developments in Ukraine and the commitment of the OSCE to engage in both an observatory capacity and an election-monitoring capacity, the reason his Department is sending one long-term observer to Ukraine for the forthcoming presidential elections; if he will reconsider this position as the monitoring of these elections will probably constitute the most important and difficult election monitored by the OSCE to date and, in view of the historical importance of the outcome to that election, proper oversight will be vitally important; if he will confirm his intention to send a substantial delegation of short-term observers to monitor this election; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15374/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government has condemned the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. It violates the sovereignty, political independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We have participated actively in the development of a strong EU response to Russia's military mobilisation while commending the measured response shown so far by the new Ukrainian Government. Presidential elections in Ukraine are scheduled for May, and will be monitored by the OSCE.

Following a call by the OSCE for nominations for the mission, we have put forward a member of the election observation roster maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for participation as a Long Term Observer. This Irish observer is now in Ukraine to support the preparatory phase of the OSCE mission. As outlined in the reply to a similar Question from the Deputy on 11 March 2014, we will ensure that Ireland puts forward a substantial number of short term observers to participate in the mission. A request for short term observers has not yet been received from the OSCE. It will be acted on as soon as it is received.

The Permanent Council of the OSCE decided on 21 March to establish a field presence in Ukraine consisting of an initial complement of 100 monitors. The mandate of this presence is for an initial period of six months with the possibility of extension. The start up team for the mission is already on the ground in Ukraine and includes an Irish staff member on temporary deployment from another OSCE field presence. A number of Irish experts with experience of OSCE field operations have volunteered for the mission and we will sanction the secondment of any who are selected by the OSCE Secretariat.