Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

Now that the Government is having a further look at the electronic voting system, we plead with it to provide for the necessary audit trail. This is important in the interest of confidence in the system. If it has set its face against a full audit trail, it should, at the minimum, provide for it in a representative number of constituencies. Otherwise, we will not instil confidence in the system among the public. We welcome the amendments the Government made and the provision for the secrecy of the ballot with regard to anybody wishing to spoil his or her vote.