Charlie McCreevy (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

While our present system has worked well, one does not hear the same alarm stories about the security of the paper ballot and the possibilities that exist to interfere with such a box. It would be much easier for votes to be compromised or lost with a paper ballot. The electronic system has proved to be totally dependable through its record over the years in other countries and in our pilot polls. That is the acid test: successful use at a real election.

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