James Bannon (Fine Gael)

The defence the Minister of State put forward is not good enough. We have heard from computer experts that security considerations require the system to be radically modified. The Minister of State referred to the fact that while I was in Germany I should have visited certain companies there who are in the business of manufacturing. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. That is a phrase used in my county and in his county. The parliaments of those countries are not using the system because they consider it flawed in its current format. I have spoken to political leaders in Bavaria, Duisburg and other southern German states and they are not using the system. They abide by the traditional system of balloting.

It is important we revert to that system until a system that is foolproof and reliable is in place which the electorate can trust. Irish democracy will be undermined if we proceed with electronic voting at this stage. I ask the Minister of State at this late stage to revert to the old system for the European and local elections in June. People are confused about the new system of voting. Given all that has been put into the public domain on this issue, people will be fearful of coming out to vote on the day.

The Minister referred to Deputy John Bruton earlier. Deputy Bruton clarified the position on "Today with Pat Kenny". He wrote to the Taoiseach six months before the last general election saying he was not happy with the system at that particular time. That letter is in the public domain. I ask the Minister of State not to use that as a scapegoat to get over other serious problems. The Government is embarrassed; it had to back down on this issue. It has done a half U-turn but I invite it to go the whole hog. I ask the Minister of State to revert to the old system which would instil confidence in the electorate. At the end of the day the electorate will have respect for the Government if it reverts to the old system. At present there is no public confidence. The first thing one needs in any democracy is confidence in the system and confidence in the Government. The Government has lost that confidence.