Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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88. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the name of each person who took part in Ireland's international election monitoring since the beginning of 2014, in tabular form; the cost of each trip involved, detailing the qualification and background of each person selected, and if they were appointed to the election roster; the appeals and review processes that exist for roster members who are unhappy at not being selected for missions; when the next intake to the roster is expected to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35890/15]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of individuals who are available to participate in election observation missions organised in the main by the OSCE and the EU. The roster was established following a call for applications in May 2013, and it will operate until 2018.A full list of the observers who have served on election missions in 2014 and to date in 2015, together with the costs arising, is set out in the tables below. Consistent with standard practice on data protection, the personal details of election observers are not being released.

As stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question 24669/15 on this matter in June 2015, the European Commission covers all costs associated with EU election observation missions. For OSCE missions, the Department covers all costs incurred by the individual Irish election observers. This includes a daily allowance, based on OSCE guidance, to cover the cost of food, accommodation and local transport incurred in country. A return air fare is also provided. In addition, all Irish election observers receive a once-off grant annually of €600 from the Department to cover pre-departure mission expenses. Insurance cover is also provided by the Department for all observers.

For each election observation mission, the EU or OSCE set out their specific requirements and, on the basis of the expressions of interest and application form submitted by roster members, the Department draws up a list of observers. In selecting nominees to be put forward, the specific criteria set by the EU or OSCE, including relevant local and regional experience and language proficiency, form the principal basis for decision-making. Issues of gender balance and length of time since serving on a mission are also taken into account. Thefinal decisions on participation in missions are made by the EU and OSCE, and Irish nominees have a high success rate.

Observers selected for participation in election observation missions are drawn from Ireland’s election observation roster, established in May 2013. Officials from the Department, who work on relevant geographic desks, may, on occasion also participate on such missions. The costs incurred by these officials are paid on the same basis as other election roster members, but no pre-departure grant is provided.

The Irish Aid website has a listing and breakdown of observers deployed to countries since the formation of the current election observation roster in 2013.

Election Observation Missions 2014

Election Observation Missions 2015 to date (Oct 2015)