Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost to date of the electronic voting machines; when and the way the Government will dispose of the machines; if there is a case for compensation from the manufacturer who provided the equipment and software; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37700/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The total expenditure on the electronic voting project to date, including on storage, is some €54 million.

Following the Government decision not to proceed with implementation of electronic voting in Ireland, an interdepartmental task force, chaired by my Department, was established to bring the project to an orderly conclusion and to oversee disposal of the equipment and termination of storage arrangements. The task force aims to complete its work as soon as possible.

In disposing of the equipment, the priority is to pursue the most economically advantageous approach, with a view to achieving the maximum recovery of cost possible in the circumstances, consistent with environmental and other obligations.

Issues with regard to the fitness for purpose of the electronic voting equipment were addressed comprehensively in the reports published by the Commission on Electronic Voting. The commission was established in 2004 to report on the secrecy and accuracy of the chosen electronic voting and counting system. It published an interim report in April 2004, followed by its first report later that year in December 2004. The commission's second and final report was published in July 2006.

In dealing with the legacy of electronic voting, my main concerns are to bring the project to a close, dispose of the equipment and deal with lease arrangements for the remaining premises where the equipment is stored. The work of the Department and the task force set up to bring the project to a conclusion has been focused on these areas.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Minister said that interdepartmental task force was set up to bring the e-voting project to an orderly conclusion. Does he accept that if a little order has been applied initially the Government would have squandered less taxpayers' money on this expensive project? The sum of €54 million is a huge amount of money to have been squandered by the Government. We hear of what will happen in hospitals throughout the country following cutbacks to be introduced in the budget and the life-threatening consequences of those. The Minister, Deputy Harney spoke today about the serious cutbacks that will be made to health services It is a shame and a sin for such an amount of money to have been squandered by the Government.

Can the Minister provide a more comprehensive figure for the buy-out associated with the termination of storage leases which he admitted will be payable? Leases were taken out for 20 to 25 years to store machines that we all know were obsolete eight years ago - they were duds eight years ago.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I call the Minister.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I would like to-----

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I will call the Deputy again.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Deputy raised a number of issues. If the Deputy is seeking the costs in regard to storage, as I understand it, cessation of the electronic voting project involves dealing with the legacy of storage. Pending the disposal of the equipment, the machines must still be stored somewhere.

The cost of storing the machines at local premises has been significantly reduced in recent years. In 2004 up to €658,000 was spent on storage, which was reduced to €204,000 in 2008 and to €182,000 in 2009. It is important the job is done right in line with legal and regulatory requirements. We do not want to expose the Exchequer to further risks or liabilities arising from the disposal of the equipment. The key objective is to achieve the most economically advantageous outcome while limiting any further potential costs and, where possible, recovering some of the investment.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister concede that public confidence has been badly shaken by the Government's lack of judgment in this matter? If there proves to be no liability on the part of the manufacturer and the responsibility for the blind purchase of these unfit dud machines and software is laid at the Minister's door, will the taxpayer be entitled to compensation from the Government?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Deputy knows the answer to that question. When I came into office, I examined this matter to ensure best value for money. It was a painstaking process but I was determined to look at the issue in detail. For that reason, I have done this methodically and thoroughly to ensure it is done right in line with legal and regulatory requirements. A decision was made over a year ago which I announced. Many people on the other side of the House urged me then to make the decision. I did so and now we are in the process of finalising its outcome.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Will the taxpayer receive compensation from the Government?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Sorry, Deputy Bannon that concludes priority questions.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Minister did not answer my question.