Written answers
Tuesday, 16 November 2021
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Election Monitoring Missions
Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
309. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason it was decided not to send any Irish long term observers to the OSCE election observation mission in Kyrgyzstan; the number of roster members by gender that applied to participate as short term observers for the election in Kyrgyzstan ; the number by gender that have been nominated for this mission; if nominated observers are not members of the current roster; if he will provide details of grants and other supports being provided to these observers; if his Department will pay for additional expenses of an observer that contracts Covid-19 while on the mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55791/21]
Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
310. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the budget for the election observation programme in 2019, 2020 and 2021; the amount spent in each year; if he will provide details of the budget in 2022; the number of observers projected to be deployed; his plans to replace the current roster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55792/21]
Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I propose to take Questions Nos. 309 and 310 together.
I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 22 September 2021, Parliamentary Questions No. 131, 135 and 158 of 24 June 2021, Parliamentary Questions No. 304, 305 and 311 of 26 May 2021, Parliamentary Questions No. 303 and 310 of 26 May 2021 and Parliamentary Question No. 777 of 24 March 2021 on international election observation.
The current election observation roster was established in 2019 for a period of five years. It currently comprises 197 volunteers who were selected following an open and competitive application process to participate at short notice for election observation missions organised by the EU and the OSCE. Planning for the next mustering process will commence in 2022.
Expenditure amounted to €194,325 in 2019, €12,495 in 2020 and €4,616 in 2021 to date. The budget allocation for 2022 will be decided shortly and is likely to be similar to the 2019 allocation. The relatively low expenditure in 2020 and 2021 is due to the temporary suspension of the scheme due to COVID-19. Nominations have now resumed, subject to adjudication of duty of care. This takes into account national and international travel advice and relevant legislation, which may be subject to ongoing review and change.
The OSCE nomination deadline for long term observers for upcoming parliamentary elections in Kyrgyz Republic, scheduled for 28 November 2021, was prior to Ireland’s resumption of nomination of volunteer observers. However, a call for short term observers is currently being processed. My Department received 32 applications (16 male and 16 female) from members of the election observation roster, nine of which have been nominated (four male and five female). The final selection will be made by the OSCE.
My Department has a travel insurance policy in place for members of the election observation roster which provides cover in the event that an observer becomes ill while travelling. Once they return home, they can avail of care provided under the Irish health care system.
COVID tests for observers would be included in the once-off annual €600 flat rate already in place for inoculations. Any amounts incurred in excess of that flat rate arising from COVID testing would be allowable as a recoupable expense.
No comments