Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses. The common exercise we are trying to achieve is to get the names of Cyprus, Ireland and Denmark off the European Commission list. It is fascinating to hear about the process in Estonia, which was quick off the mark with regard to electronic voting and using the Internet. It was certainly a regional leader in that respect. Unfortunately, having listened to the contributions, I am not quite sure what we in Ireland can learn. We do not use electronic voting, which is sad, given that in the largest democracy in the world, India, people are currently casting votes on computers. I have been a loser with the paper system, and at the time the formation of a Government was at stake as it depended on whether I or a Fianna Fáil candidate won. I am an advocate of electronic voting and I have always argued that if the Indians can do it, Ireland can do it. This is not a popular political position as people love the notion of lions consuming cubs, hyenas being eaten by lions, and the tension that goes with it. People love us as actors in a certain sense.

We have many different formulae. For example, the electoral register is a yearly compilation. The diaspora, from Australia to America, is probably unsurpassed. I know this is only guidance from the Commission but it is something to take seriously. The convention only made a recommendation with regard to voting for presidential elections, but the Commission has argued that national elections should be included in this process. We have far to go.

Estonia uses electronic voting, but how does it prevent the buying of votes? If a person has no privacy in casting a vote, how do we know organised groups are not buying votes? The traditional method, which we value, has a person casting a vote in secret. If people vote from a home computer, how can the privacy of the vote be secured? The representative of Denmark has indicated there will probably be no change so I do not know how it will get off the list. I do not know how Ireland will get off the list, given the complexities with which we must deal. The Spanish case is interesting as the process seems to be unbelievably generous. I am sure there are some people still voting from Western Sahara in Spanish elections, given where they come from.

However, Mr. Garrigues said that in the past the two major parties had a liberal attitude to this, but now the Spanish Migrants Association is asking for a review on the basis that turnout is so low. Perhaps he might elaborate on current thinking.

I do not know who will help us in the case of Northern Ireland. How does one decide who is a citizen with a vote from Northern Ireland, let alone America or Australia? Perhaps the committee might have a further meeting to discuss this issue.