Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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98. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the progress of the new election observer roster; the timeframe for its publication; and the way in which to address the flaws in the current system as articulated by participants in election observing. [14051/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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 a roster of election observers to facilitate, when requested, an appropriate level of Irish participation in 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).

Plans are well advanced for the mobilisation of a new roster, to come into operation later this year. A public call for applications is currently being finalised and will issue in the near future. The call will be published on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website and on the Irish Aid website.

A candidate information booklet setting out eligibility requirements and detailing the process leading to the establishment of the roster will be published for the information of applicants. The process to appoint observers to the Election Observer Roster will be run in accordance with best practice.