Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2004
53 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the locations at which the electronic voting machines are stored; the number of machines in each location; the annual cost of storage at each location; and if he proposes to use these machines in the forthcoming by-elections in Kildare and Meath. [22602/04]
View answer70 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has studied the recent referendum in Venezuela in which both manual and electronic voting was used; and his views on whether elements of its voting system can be incorporated into this country’s voting system. [22626/04]
View answer74 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received further reports from the electronic voting commission; if not, when he expects to receive further reports; if it is intended to use electronic voting in by-elections that may be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22572/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 70 and 74 together.
Following publication of its interim report in April 2004, the Commission on Electronic Voting has been mandated by the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2004 to continue to assess the secrecy and accuracy of the electronic voting and counting system and to make a further report or reports for this purpose. While the commission has been in contact with my Department in regard to the content of a proposed further report, details of progress in fulfilling its mandate are a matter for the commission.
In parallel with the continuation of the commission's work, my Department is developing a programme of further testing and validation which is intended to address the concerns raised in the interim report with regard to the secrecy and accuracy of the electronic voting and counting system. The objective of this programme is to demonstrate both to the commission and to the public that the electronic system is suitable to be used at Irish elections. The timing of the further use of the system is dependent on the progress made with this programme of work and the dates on which future polls may be held. As part of the work programme, regard will continue to be had to further experiences internationally in the use of electronic voting and counting solutions and their applicability or otherwise to electoral arrangements in Ireland.
Details in relation to the number and location by Dáil constituency of voting machines in preparation for the June 2004 polls are set out in the reply to Questions Nos. 794, 824 and 827 of 27 April 2004. My Department is currently compiling an up to date inventory of voting machines and other items of hardware, together with details of related storage costs.
