Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

In an interesting contribution, Deputy Fiona O'Malley made the point that the purpose of elections is to elect, not amuse, but she undermined her contribution by suggesting that we should look for a dramatic electoral system. I like high opera, but the purpose of elections is to elect, not amuse. This relates to the matter of electronic voting, which was raised by a number of Deputies as a fair point. I was asked to clarify whether I intend to use the machines in 2007. I have said several times and will do so again that it is not my purpose to use the machines. There is nobody so deaf as those who are not here. We all know that the machines can be interfered with by dismantling their backs. Notwithstanding the press conference in the Netherlands, this is not news. Security is clearly an issue and was mentioned in the second report of the commission. It must be taken into account.

As I said previously, I have issued instructions for the voting machines to be taken to a central location and do not intend to use them in the 2007 election. We have established a commission that has made specific findings, the applicability of which we should examine. While Deputy O'Dowd has read the second report, it is not bedtime reading, but anyone who reads it will see that the machines can be modified with relatively small and low cost adjustments. Given the report and what has been spent, a decision to recycle the machines would be an act of political irresponsibility and taxpayers would rightly ask why we behaved in that way.

Two Deputies referred to the current electoral registration process. If a house is visited three times and two notices are put through the door — I have seen staff delivering voter registration forms in a number of constituencies — voters have some responsibility to register.

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