Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Opposition Deputies stated that electronic voting would be rolled out nationwide as if we had no experience of the process. We are not starting from a greenfield position. We have gathered experience from three constituencies in the 2002 general election and seven constituencies during the second Nice treaty referendum when the system worked extremely well. It is not, therefore, being rolled out for the first time. These were the feasibility studies Deputies demanded.

As regards Deputies' concerns about the effects of the system on the electorate, notably the elderly, no problems were encountered inthe two Dublin constituencies, the Meath constituency and the seven constituencies in which the system operated in the Nice treaty referendum. To suggest that people will have a problem with electronic voting is almost an insult to the electorate. It is capable of using the system.

Deputies will have an opportunity to see at first hand how the system operates. Having seen the system, I do not believe anyone could make a mistake. If someone decides to change his or her mind——

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