John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

We could have interesting debate on the origins of the commission but it is a separate matter. The question was asked as to why the electronic aspect should be included in the legislation. This is entirely prudent because virtually everybody agrees that electronic voting will be introduced and is desirable. The only question to arise concerns the accuracy or value of the system selected. It was noteworthy that the commission's report referred to minimum standards because, as the commission noted, the burden of proof is much greater as regards the adoption of the system than with regard to its rejection.

If the amendments were adopted, it would preclude subsequent debate or scrutiny of the matter by the Oireachtas. In other words, the amendments could result in the system being adopted without the matter first coming before the Houses. The political reality of the matter is that when the commission makes its final report, the terms of reference of which are, as the Minister of State noted, contained in the final Schedule to the Bill, it will be subject to considerable public scrutiny and debate.

The Bill is reasonable and will ensure that the matter is fully debated before the final system is adopted. The adoption of the amendments would not necessarily mean that once the commission had reported to the Ceann Comhairle that the proposed system was reasonable and good, the matter would not be referred to the Houses for debate. However, adoption of the amendments would mean the system could be introduced without such a debate taking place.