Written answers
Thursday, 22 June 2023
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Election Monitoring Missions
Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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157. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason expressions of interest with a closing date of 26 May 2023 had been sought for places on the election observer roster; the conclusions and findings that arise from this process; if persons who did not express interest can apply; if so, if they will be at any disadvantage over those who expressed interest; the date the full competition will be published; the number of places available; whether separate panels will be formed for long-term election observers and short-term election observers; if he plans to have any reserved places for people with disabilities, politicians or others; if so, will he detail the number of reserved places and the persons eligible to apply for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30232/23]
Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs maintains and administers a voluntary roster of suitably skilled and vetted individuals who are available to participate at short notice in election observation missions, organised by the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The current Election Observation Roster was established for a period of five years, from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2023.
To inform planning for the recruitment of the next Roster, expressions of interest were sought from those who were interested in applying to be a member. By the closing date, 26 May 2023, the Department had received 250 expressions of interest. The Department is now consulting with relevant experts and finalising documentation for the application process. It will be possible to apply to become a Roster Member even if an expression of interest has not been submitted. A deadline will be set for the submission of applications in the near future.
The Department is fully committed to equality of opportunity, in line with the National Disability Inclusion Strategy and the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. We are therefore committed to ensuring that Ireland’s Election Observation Roster provides for the participation of people with disabilities, and we are engaging with the EU and OSCE in this regard. The Department will ensure that any requests received for reasonable accommodation at application stage from people with disabilities are given all due consideration.
All information will be made available on the Department’s website at: Election observation - Department of Foreign Affairs (irishaid.ie)
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