Results 81-100 of 13,210 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: I will address that matter. I was present for most of the debate. As personal computers will not be connected to a network or the Internet during elections, hacking will not be possible. I will briefly address the circumstances which arose in north County Dublin with regard to former Deputy Nora Owen. No one can condone what happened at that count, which was unfortunate and a costly lesson...

European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: Opposition Deputies stated that electronic voting would be rolled out nationwide as if we had no experience of the process. We are not starting from a greenfield position. We have gathered experience from three constituencies in the 2002 general election and seven constituencies during the second Nice treaty referendum when the system worked extremely well. It is not, therefore, being rolled...

European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: Yes.

European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: I believe the Deputy will be more than happy with the answers he receives to the questions. The House has just recently returned following the Christmas period. The officials have been working on the questions and the replies will issue to Deputies.

European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: The officials dealing with the questions have a considerable workload apart from electronic voting. I assure Deputy Allen that the answers will issue to him as soon as possible. We will have an opportunity on Committee Stage to address issues relevant to the Bill.

European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: They are relevant to the old system but not to the Bill. If the Deputy bears with me, we can address issues such as the implications of the Kelly judgment for the forthcoming European elections, to which Deputy Gilmore referred. Deputies will recall that the judgment found that two elementsof paragraph 2 of the Schedule were unconstitutional. The judgment will apply to expenditure by...

European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: It was introduced in 2002.

European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: They are electronic voting machines. With regard to Deputy Ring's reference to the presidential election in Florida, punch cards dating from the 1960s were used, not electronic voting. Deputy Harkin referred to the recommendations of the constituency commission on Dáil constituencies. This is not a matter for tonight's debate but can be discussed when the necessary Bill to revise Dáil...

European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Referral to Select Committee. (3 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on the Environment and Local Government, in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee. Question put and agreed to.

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (3 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: In addition to the ten fire station projects currently approved or under construction, my Department is undertaking a review of all fire station projects that have been proposed, with those in planning, with a view to obtaining the best outcome from the annual fire station construction programme. The proposed new fire station at Freshford, for which contract documents are with my Department,...

Written Answers — Fire Stations: Fire Stations (10 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: In addition to the ten fire station projects currently approved or under construction, my Department is undertaking a review of all fire station projects that have been proposed, along with those in planning, with a view to obtaining the best outcome from the annual fire station construction programme. The proposed new fire station at Granard, for which contract documents are with my...

Seanad: Electronic Voting: Statements. (11 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: I welcome this opportunity to discuss the introduction of electronic voting and counting at the European Parliament and local elections next June. In the short time available to me, I wish to reply to some of the points put forward by opponents of the system. I stress that the system that will be used is secure and reliable. It can be trusted by the people. It has been in use for over ten...

Seanad: Electronic Voting: Statements. (11 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: A politician cannot even have a cold now.

Seanad: Electronic Voting: Statements. (11 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: Many questions were asked, and I would certainly like to address as many of those as possible if the House is agreed.

Seanad: Electronic Voting: Statements. (11 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: I thank the Senators for their contributions. It is tremendous to see such interest in the House. It is unfortunate that the same interest is not evident among the entire electorate at election time, as the valid poll would be much higher than normal. I genuinely believe that the new system will make it easier for the new voter, especially the elderly. Senator Norris referred to several views...

Seanad: Electronic Voting: Statements. (11 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: Senator Bannon, who spoke initially, referred to his experience at the launch last week. I know the Senator did not intend his remarks to be unfair, but they might have been so if the official was only being helpful. Needless to say, at the real poll on 11 June the polling staff will not approach the voting machine. That will be set out in the regulations or the rules for returning officers,...

Seanad: Electronic Voting: Statements. (11 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: I will deal with that. We all like to know from where votes come, but I will blend that with Senator Coghlan's question on secrecy. We are anxious to ensure tallies are available and we are in consultation with the Attorney General's office on what information can safely be provided without endangering the secrecy of the ballot. As the Senator said, the tallyman is not part of the statutory...

Seanad: Electronic Voting: Statements. (11 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: I am not a Member and I was not aware of that Standing Order. I will accept a question.

Seanad: Electronic Voting: Statements. (11 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: This matter has been raised because of the Carrickmines case. I looked at the Supreme Court judgment on Carrickmines and without going into the details — I do not have the time nor is it necessary — this case bears no relationship to the making of an order under section 48 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001. Section 48 states clearly and, indeed, unambiguously provides that the...

Seanad: European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (12 Feb 2004)

Pat Gallagher: This Bill is short and proposes to implement the recommendations of the 2003 constituency commission report on changes to the European Parliament constituencies and to give effect to the European Union Council decision of 25 June and 23 September 2002 concerning the election of Members of the European Parliament. I appreciate the House agreeing to discuss the Bill today and hopefully next...