New role for Senator John Hanafin

Thurles native, Senator John Hanafin has been appointed to the permanent delegation of the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe). It is the world's largest security orientated intergovernmental organisation. It's mandate includes issues such as arms control, human rights, freedom of the press, and fair elections. The OSCE is an ad hoc organisation under the United Nations Charter, and is concerned with early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management, and post conflict rehabilitation. The primary task of the 320 member assembly is to facilitate inter-parliamentary dialogue to meet the challenges of democracy throughout the OSCE area.