Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 February 2010
266 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason a website that gives demonstrations on the way to use voting machines is still maintained by his Department long after the e-voting project has been abandoned; the costs that were involved in setting up and running this website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7051/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 23 April 2009, I announced that the Government had decided not to proceed with implementation of electronic voting in Ireland.Since then, a process has been put in place to address the issues that arise from the decision. An Interdepartmental Task Force, chaired by my Department, has been established to bring the project to an orderly conclusion and to oversee disposal of the equipment and termination of storage arrangements. To date, the Task Force has met three times, and it aims to complete its work as soon as possible.
In considering options for disposal of the equipment, the priority is to pursue the most economically advantageous approach, with a view to achieving the maximum recovery of cost possible in the circumstances, consistent with environmental and other obligations. Detailed consideration of all relevant factors is underway to inform the manner in which disposal of the machines will be effected. This includes contact with the original suppliers of the machines. Pending completion of arrangements for the disposal of the machines, the website, www.electronicvoting.ie is still operational to assist in this process. It is anticipated that the website will be taken off-line when this process is complete.
The design and development costs for the website in 2004 were €40,257. The annual cost in 2009 in respect of hosting the website, including domain name registration, was €1,881.
