merrion street

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore T.D., had a meeting in Dublin today with the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Ambassador Janez Lenarcic.

The Tánaiste and Director Lenarcic discussed ongoing issues, as well as the priorities of the incoming Irish Chairmanship of the OSCE in the fields of human rights and democratisation. The Tánaiste set out Ireland’s intention to highlight freedom of expression and freedom of the media, with a particular focus on the internet and social media.

Director Lenarcic also briefed the Tánaiste on ODIHR’s key role in relation to election observation activities. The Tánaiste said that "Ireland holds ODIHR’s election observation methodology in very high regard, and has full confidence in ODIHR’s independence, impartiality and professionalism."