John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

On 23 April 2009 I announced that the Government had decided not to proceed with implementation of electronic voting in Ireland. Since then, a process has been put in place to address the issues that arise from that decision. An interdepartmental task force, chaired by my Department, has been established to bring the project to an orderly conclusion and to oversee disposal of the equipment and termination of storage arrangements. The first meeting of the task force took place in July 2009.

In considering options for disposal of the equipment, the priority is to pursue the most economically advantageous approach with a view to achieving the maximum recovery of costs possible in the circumstances, consistent with environmental and other obligations. Detailed consideration of all relevant factors is under way to inform the manner in which disposal of the machines will be effected. This process includes contact with the original suppliers of the machines.

In 2007 more than 60% of the machines, some 4,762 in total, were moved from 12 local storage locations to a central facility at Gormanston Army Camp. The remaining machines are stored at 13 local premises that were originally identified by returning officers for this purpose. It is intended that all machines will be removed from their current locations when arrangements for their disposal are implemented. Work on termination of local lease arrangements is proceeding in this context.

In May 2007 my Department, following a competitive tendering process, engaged consultants with valuation expertise to examine individual leases and to make recommendations on termination of leases, where appropriate. In May 2008 I accepted the consultants' recommendations and these are currently being implemented. The consultants recommended termination of leases in seven cases and this has since occurred at three locations. No additional payments were made in respect of these terminations. Work is ongoing on concluding the other four leases. It is expected that, in certain instances, termination of lease arrangements will give rise to buy-out costs and these will be dependent on the outcome of negotiations.

Returning officers continue to have requirements for the storage of manual voting equipment. My Department has informed them that these arrangements should be made on the basis of achieving the best value for money, with a preference that such items be stored in an appropriate public building where payment of rent is not required.

See this speech in context