Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I know Deputy Johnny Brady is warming up. He is a modest man with modest ideas, but he should keep them to himself. On the basis of today's report, arising from a €60 million expenditure, I would not be inclined to trust the words of a large number of Ministers. The software system that the Government wants to use to count votes is a dud. This report clarifies that beyond "yea" or "nay". It is a dud system. This is an independent report dragged out by Opposition claims that the Government do something about it. The report tells us it has not been developed in accordance with any recognisable standard. It is, therefore, open to major counting errors. It is less accurate than the paper system which the Taoiseach often referred to as the peann luaidhe system; they are not gone away yet. It is not good enough for what one might call a mission critical system. What can be more mission critical than the sending back to this House of the representatives of the people to form a Government with a mandate to govern?

Did any discussion take place at Cabinet on the accuracy of the software in respect of the counting system which cost €60 million of the public's money? That €60 million would have provided 7 million hours of home help throughout the country for those who need it. Does the Taoiseach accept any responsibility for spending €60 million on what this independent report says is a dud counting system that could subvert the democratic decision of the people in three, four or five-seat constituencies? Surely, as leader of the Government it is time to stand up and accept some responsibility and blame for this €60 million debacle.

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