Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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372. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the review of the management of the election observation roster; the terms of reference of this review; the name of the consultants employed for this review; the fees paid to the consultants; when the consultants finalised their report; if stakeholders were consulted for the report; if so, the way in which the stakeholders were consulted; if the contents of this report have been subjected to legal review; when the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12041/21]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Department's Evaluation and Audit Unit, which is independent and reports directly to the Secretary General, recently completed a review of the Election Observation Roster as part of the standard Department-wide approach of reviewing corporate performance, governance, risk management and internal controls.

The report finds that the Irish system for election monitoring is robust and effective by international standards. It also highlights the burden created by voluminous correspondence, through repetitive transparency requests and appeals and via various other avenues, which have implications for operational efficiency. The effect has been increased cost to the State of the operation of the roster.

The Evaluation and Audit Unit consulted the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, international counterpart Ministries, the EU, the OSCE, and others in the course of this review, through written and other channels including in certain instances in-person meetings (prior to COVID-19 restrictions). Fees of €4,900 were paid to Fitzpatrick Associates, which provided external support and quality assurance to the review.

The content of the report was cleared through all relevant channels, and has been seen by the Department's independent Audit Committee, in line with standard procedures, prior to finalisation on 25 February 2021. It has been published on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs at;

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The review's terms of reference and methodology are outlined within the report itself as is the full list of stakeholders consulted.