Election Management System.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2005

Tuesday, 17 May 2005

Ceisteanna (384)

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

385 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 15 states in the US have passed legislation requiring VVAT on all e-voting machines, that one other state has legislation passed which is awaiting its Governor’s signature and that 19 states have Bills before their legislatures requiring VVAT which has not yet passed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15917/05]

Freagraí scríofa

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

My Department is developing, in parallel with the continuing work of the Commission on Electronic Voting, a programme of further assessment, testing and validation which is intended to address the concerns raised in the Commission's interim and first reports with regard to the secrecy and accuracy of the electronic voting and counting system. As part of this work programme, regard will continue to be had to further experiences and developments internationally in the use of electronic voting and counting solutions and their relevance to electoral arrangements in Ireland. It should, however, be noted that, internationally, electronic voting and counting systems equipped with VVAT are the exception rather than the norm, with the majority of systems around the world having an internal audit system instead, similar to the chosen system in Ireland.