Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 November 2025
56. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of Ireland's commitment to supporting democratisation, human rights and the rule of law as a key element of foreign policy, the extent to which Ireland is currently contributing observers to international election observation missions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66692/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government remains committed to supporting democratisation, human rights, and the rule of law, as a key element of our foreign policy. Support to election observation is central to this commitment and Ireland has contributed observers to international election observation missions since the 1990s.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains and administers a roster enabling Ireland to respond to calls to participate in election observation missions coordinated by the OSCE and the EU. The current five-year Roster commenced on 1 January 2024 and has 170 members.
Since the start of 2024, 111 members of the Roster, including 77 this year, have participated in 26 election observation missions across five continents. Roster members have represented Ireland on OSCE missions to Albania, Azerbaijan (twice), Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova (twice), Mongolia, North Macedonia (twice), Romania, Serbia, the United States, and Uzbekistan. Members have also participated on EU Missions to Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Honduras, Jordan, Kosovo, Malawi, Mozambique, Philippines, Senegal, and Sri Lanka.
The budget for Ireland’s Roster has increased by 50%, from €200,000 in 2024, to €300,000 in 2025. This budget is limited to supporting nominations to missions in countries eligible to receive Official Development Assistance (ODA), as classified by the OECD. Where missions take place in countries which are not eligible for ODA, financial support may be provided from other budget lines to allow for participation, as was the case for the US Elections in 2024 and Romanian Elections in 2025.
