John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

As I have stated recently in the House, I am at present considering the next steps to be taken in regard to the electronic voting and counting project. In this, I am taking into account the work of the Commission on Electronic Voting, which has examined the system, relevant experiences and developments internationally, the need to maintain public confidence in the electoral process, as well as the provisions in the programme for Government relating to electoral reform generally.

I appreciate Deputies have a keen interest in this matter and many have made their views known to me as Minister. I am also aware of the issues that have been raised in regard to storage arrangements for the machines. On this matter, the Government decision to proceed with the movement of the electronic voting equipment to centralised premises was the right approach.

Given the scale of investment in the system to date, and the importance of the issues involved for our electoral system, it is essential that the future of the project be examined objectively and in a thorough and comprehensive manner. It is important that we come to the best decision possible. I hope Deputies will appreciate that it is not possible for me to make more specific comment at this point on the project itself, or on future plans for the machines, pending completion of the necessary work and a decision by Government in the matter. I do, however, expect that this process will be concluded soon.

I am conscious that local and European elections will be held in 2009. While I do not wish to pre-empt the process that is currently ongoing, I am aware of the extensive work inherent in the recommendations of the Commission on Electronic Voting. This includes the replacement of the election management software, as well as adaptations to the equipment and further end-to-end testing. Given the amount of work that would be required, it is unlikely the current e-voting system will be used for the local and European elections in 2009.

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