Election Management System.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 December 2004

Thursday, 9 December 2004

Questions (90, 91)

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

77 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost to date, including purchase, storage, hire and use of materials and equipment, public relations consultancy or promotional costs involved in the matter of electronic voting; the extent to which he intends to rely on the experience to date in any future proposals in this regard; if he feels that the next phase in the programme is likely to be as costly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32718/04]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

240 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason it is presumed that electronic voting is a necessity when it is clear that such systems are unreliable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32909/04]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 240 together.

The Government's decision to move to electronic voting and counting reflects a range of identified benefits compared to the current manual arrangements. These include more democratic outcomes through the minimisation of invalid votes and the more accurate counting of votes, provision of a higher level of service to the public, greater flexibility and speed in the voting and counting processes and greater use of modern information and communication technologies.

The cost to date of the electronic voting and counting project is some €51 million. All relevant factors will be taken into account in the future implementation of the electronic voting and counting system. Additional costs that may arise as regards the electronic system are likely to be small relative to the capital investment already made.

Question No. 78 answered with QuestionNo. 22.