Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputies who contributed to the debate on the European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003. As I said at the outset, this is a short Bill to implement the Constituencies Commission Report 2003 and to give effect to the European Union's Council decision of June and September 2002.

I wish to focus on the Bill and to thank Deputies from all sides for their general welcome for it. While it does not refer to electronic voting, it comes as no surprise that that should exercise the minds of so many Deputies in the debate on a Bill which appears to be non-contentious. I do not believe the House has a difficulty with the Bill as it stands.

Lest I do not have time at the conclusion of the debate, I take the opportunity to associate myself with the remarks of Deputy McCormack on the outgoing Members of the European Parliament who will not seek re-election. I know each one and admire the work they do. Having experienced politics at home and in Europe, we have, generally speaking, worked as a team and have all worn the Irish jersey in Europe. I mention my former colleague, Joe McCartin, to whom Deputy McCormack referred. Liam Hyland, Jim Fitzsimons and Nuala Ahern from Leinster, John Cushnahan from Munster and Niall Andrews and Mary Banotti from Dublin are not seeking re-election. Whatever they decide to do in the future, I think I speak on behalf of the House when I wish them well post-June 2004.

Deputy Allen, Deputy Morgan and other Deputies referred to the Zerflow security assessment report. Much misunderstanding was created by the presentation on television of the report. The misunderstanding arose from a lack of understanding of the context and content of the report. The report was commissioned by my Department in February 2002, four months before the use of voting machines, as a risk assessment of the use of voting machines in polling stations. It did not cover the integrity of the EMS, which was covered in other reports, but the possible physical threats in a polling station. The recommendations were considered by the Department before the voting machines were used in May 2002 and those considered directly relevant were incorporated in the instructions issued to the returning officers. The conditions covered by the major recommendations could only arise in circumstances of a widespread conspiracy between the returning officer's staff, polling station staff and external parties.

The Zerflow recommendations were further considered in the modifications made to the voting machines following experience gained during pilot uses in 2002. Zerflow has indicated that any concerns it may have had about the use of the voting machines in polling stations no longer apply.

Deputies Allen, Gilmore and others raised the question of the use of electronic voting and counting systems at the June polls. As this matter was discussed in detail on three occasions before Christmas by the Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government, it is not necessary to repeat the discussion, particularly given the time constraints on this debate. I emphasise, however, that the new system is safe for use and more secure than the current manual system. Some members of the media need to review critically the claims of those opposing use of the system.

At the joint committee the Minister arranged for six experts to provide assistance to its members. We have to balance the knowledge and experience of these experts, gained over many years' involvement in electoral work, with that of people with little or no knowledge of conducting elections.

As Deputies will be aware, the Minister will launch a major public awareness campaign tomorrow to inform the public.

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