Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

As I said to Deputy Kenny, the Government will consider the report in detail. The report has just been made available. We will report to the Government on the full implications of the commission's recommendations and we will consider the composition of a peer review group drawn from international electoral reform bodies and the IT industry to supervise any design. The decision remains to be made whether we will decide to use the design. We will report to the Government on confidence building measures and we will identify any other improvements that might need to be built into the system if we were to go ahead with it. These decisions will need to be considered when members of the Government, like everybody else, have an opportunity to read the report.

In answer to Deputy Rabbitte, three issues arise. There was an examination and investigation as to whether the hardware was a waste of money and a waste of time and whether it was deficient and I have answered that question. I have not answered the question but rather an independent report has answered the question. On the issue of software, the Deputy quoted a number of instances where the commission was not satisfied with the software. The commission has made it clear in its recommendations it is unable to recommend the election management software and I accept that recommendation. From the commission's detailed examination and analysis of alternative election management software compatible with the existing machines which it has examined, other hardware and software components could be developed at a reasonable relative cost. The existing cost of that software is €0.5 million. This country is the world's greatest exporter of software and there are many people available here who can deal with these issues for a very moderate cost. That is the position.

The commission also notes the errors, as referred to by Deputy Rabbitte. The commission's report states that the chosen system eliminates the casting of invalid votes which comprise 1.6% of all ballots cast at elections and referenda over the past 20 years. It also states that strong evidence suggests that minor counting errors are widespread and most inevitable in the paper system. The report points out how these issues should be dealt with and we should examine that. The commission is also of the view there is an increased need in the context of electronic voting for the establishment of a single independent statutory electoral commission. The commission would hardly make such a recommendation if it did not believe electronic voting should be introduced. The Government has not considered this issue but the Minister has stated on many occasions that he supports the principle. I hope all Members will consider this report. The Government will do so and will further discuss it next week and the following week. In the cool light of day and based on the hard work of a commission that has been working for two years, the Government will examine the issue and come to a conclusion.

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