Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I will address that matter. I was present for most of the debate. As personal computers will not be connected to a network or the Internet during elections, hacking will not be possible.

I will briefly address the circumstances which arose in north County Dublin with regard to former Deputy Nora Owen. No one can condone what happened at that count, which was unfortunate and a costly lesson for the former Deputy and her family. We have learned from it and the process will be much more humane on the next occasion when results will be announced after each count.

Deputies Allen and McCormack referred to a questionnaire circulated at a joint committee meeting. The document contained much more than 40 questions. Replies are being prepared and will be forwarded to the Deputies as soon as possible.

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