Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 31 Jan 1995

Vol. 448 No. 3

Written Answers. - Electronic Voting.

Peter Barry

Question:

116 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for the Environment the progress, if any, that has been made towards implementing a system of electronic voting at elections; if a system was being investigated whereby first preferences would be calculated electronically; if computer software is available for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the overall impact of introducing electronic voting in Ireland. [2049/95]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin)

The question of electronic voting and counting at elections is kept under review in my Department in the light of technological developments. At this stage, it is not evident that the advantages would outweigh the significant practical difficulties and costs involved which, in our case, would be magnified by the relative complexity of the single transferable vote system.

As part of a package of measures designed to improve and modernise the counting process at elections, the local government computer services board, at the request of my Department and in consultation with returning officers and the Department, is developing a computer programme to assist returning officers in conducting counts. The feasibility of extending the use of computers at election counts will continue to be examined.