Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I will not take seven minutes to reply. The commission concluded that the main hardware components in the system, including the voting machines are good quality in design, robust against failure and well-suited to their purpose. That was the view of the commission on the expenditure. It was quite satisfied that the hardware that cost the money can work and operate effectively.

They are not in use because of the democratic system whereby the voting system for people to exercise their franchise needs agreement. Members of the Opposition were happy with that and then changed their minds.

See this speech in context