Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to related parliamentary questions on this matter Question 71 of 7 September 2018, Question 138 of 10 July 2018, Questions 167 of 4 July 2018, Questions 167 and 172 of 25 October 2017, Questions 357 and 358 of 13 December 2016, Question 243 of 2 November 2016, Questions 157 and 158 of 20 October 2016, and Questions 335, 336 and 337 of 14 June 2016.

International election observation missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. 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 or the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

The criteria for selection for OSCE election observation missions is exactly the same as applied in all observation missions, which was set out in the Information Note for Applicants accompanying the call for applications to join the Election Observation Roster established in 2013.

For each election observation mission to which Ireland proposes to deploy observers, all roster members are invited to express their interest in the mission with a view to ensuring the widest possible participation. A shortlist is drawn up based on the specific criteria set out by the EU or OSCE, including relevant local and regional experience, language proficiency, gender and length of time since serving on a mission. In many cases, the EU and OSCE also invite Member States to nominate new observers or observers with limited experience. However, the final decision rests with the inviting body, usually the OSCE or the European Union.