Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

Historically, responsibility for the security and safe storage of voting equipment such as ballot boxes, stamping instruments etc. has been a matter for returning officers who are statutorily responsible for conducting the polls. Accordingly, similar responsibility was assigned to returning officers for the storage of the electronic voting equipment. It is important to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to protect these instruments.

Information provided by returning officers to my Department indicates that the total annual storage cost for the electronic voting machines and ancillary equipment, which includes rent, insurance, service charges, rates, heating etc. is €696,000. This is the figure calculated last September. I have asked my Department to explore, in consultation with the Department of Defence, the options for centralised storage of the equipment. I am pleased to tell the House that a premises suitable for centralised storage of voting machines has now been identified and arrangements for transport and storage are being discussed.

On the system itself, a programme of further assessment, testing and validation is under way in my Department to address issues raised by the Commission on Electronic Voting. The timing of the further use of the system is dependent on the progress made on this work and the ongoing work of the Commission on Electronic Voting, which was mandated by the Oireachtas in 2004 to continue its work and whose report is expected shortly. I expect the CEV to have a report shortly and, at that stage, further decisions will be made on the future use of the machinery.

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