Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 November 2008
220 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the period of contracts in regard to e-voting machines not centrally stored; the tendering process involved; the standard of storage specified in each case; the overall cost per contract; the cost per machine stored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40505/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the security and safe storage of manual voting electoral materials (such as ballot boxes, stamping instruments and stationery) is a matter for the Returning Officers, who are statutorily responsible for conducting the polls. Accordingly, similar responsibility was assigned to Returning Officers to make the necessary arrangements in relation to the storage of the electronic voting machines and equipment. Returning Officers undertook the task of procuring suitable dry accommodation for the electronic voting machines and ancillary equipment, and the detailed contractual and other arrangements put in place by Returning Officers reflect the varying circumstances applying at local level.
The following table sets out information in respect of local storage arrangements currently in place, based on information received in my Department from Returning Officers.
|
City/County |
Period of Lease Contract |
Storage Arrangement |
Storage Costs 2007 (incl. VAT) |
Number of Machines Stored |
|
€ |
||||
|
Cavan-Monaghan |
25 years |
Rented Premises |
21,608.32 |
280 |
|
Clare |
Monthly Basis |
Voting Machines stored in courthouse. Premises for ancillary equipment rented. |
3,600.00 |
200 |
|
Donegal |
Annual Basis |
Rented Premises |
13,987.80 |
294 |
|
Galway |
N/A |
Voting Machines Stored in Courthouse |
5,000 |
310 |
|
Kerry |
10 Years |
Rented Premises |
28,003.00 |
310 |
|
Laois-Offaly |
5 Years |
Rented Premises |
27,647.60 |
219 |
|
Longford |
4 Years 9 Months |
Rented Premises |
20,003.28 |
95 |
|
Roscommon |
2 Years 6 Months |
Rented Premises |
10,664.82 |
137 |
|
Louth |
N/A |
Dundalk Town Council |
595.06 |
179 |
|
Meath |
9 Years 9 Months |
Rented Premises |
26,354.72 |
235 |
|
Sligo |
N/A |
Voting Machines Stored in Courthouse |
Nil |
129 |
|
Leitrim |
1 Year |
Voting Machines stored in courthouse. Premises for ancillary equipment rented. |
3,200.00 |
101 |
|
Wexford |
Monthly Basis |
Rented Premises |
18,934.46 |
240 |
In 2007, over 60% of the electronic voting machines (some 4,762 in total) were moved to a central storage facility located at Gormanston Army Camp.
