I propose to take Questions Nos. 794, 824 and 827 together.
It is a matter for each returning officer to assign voting machines to polling stations having regard to the number of electors assigned to each station. The number of voting machines acquired by the returning officers in the three constituencies at the general election was 600 for the electorate of 231,734. The total number of voting machines acquired or being acquired by returning officers in preparation for the June 2004 elections is 7,315 for an electorate of 2,983,178. A breakdown per returning officer is set out in the following table. It is estimated that between 5% and 10% of machines will be available as spare machines.
The procedure for making a polling scheme is set out in Part IV of the Electoral Act 1992 and the Electoral (Polling Schemes) Regulations 1964.
Table
Dáil Constituency *
|
Number of Voting Machines
|
Carlow/Kilkenny
|
250
|
Cavan/Monaghan
|
288
|
Clare
|
200
|
Cork County (3)
|
425
|
Cork City (2)
|
410
|
Donegal North-East/South West
|
295
|
Dublin City (6)
|
777
|
Dublin County (6)
|
775
|
Galway East/West
|
310
|
Kerry North/South
|
310
|
Kildare North/South
|
275
|
Laois/Offaly
|
220
|
Limerick East/West
|
335
|
Longford/Roscommon
|
232
|
Louth
|
180
|
Mayo
|
275
|
Meath
|
265
|
Sligo/Leitrim
|
230
|
Tipperary North/South
|
408
|
Waterford
|
195
|
Westmeath
|
175
|
Wexford
|
240
|
Wicklow
|
245
|
Total
|
7,315
|
*Voting machines are acquired by Dáil Returning Officers who also act as Returning Officers at other elections and referendums.