Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 September 2024
4. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that comparative members of the Organisation for Security C-operation in Europe provide their long-term election observers with income payments in addition to living expenses; if he will consider introducing this in order to reduce barriers to participation in such roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37965/24]
View answerThe 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 Organisation for Security and Co-operation (OSCE) in Europe (OSCE). Ireland's current five-year international Election Observation Roster was established from 1 January 2024 and has 173 members.
Membership of the roster is undertaken on a voluntary basis and has no employment obligations. Members are volunteers and are not paid remuneration. However, roster members selected to participate in missions receive a payment of €600 to cover all pre-departure expenses. This is paid once in any twelve-month period regardless of the number of missions undertaken. Ireland also provides a daily allowance for participants in each mission, as recommended by the OSCE.
This approach is in line with the majority of other OSCE member states.
