John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

If the Government is serious about dealing with the issue of low turnouts in the Dublin area, it should consider having a two-day poll, as happens in many other European countries. Students should not be disenfranchised if the Taoiseach's proposal is put in place.

In the Dáil earlier this week the Taoiseach was questioned about e-voting in the 2002 general election. He replied that there were no problems. I was aghast, as I watched his reply on the monitor in my office. A total of 1,200 votes more were counted than had been cast in Dublin North, while 750 fewer votes were counted in Dublin West than the number cast. My colleague, Senator Terry, lost the final seat by 200 votes and she has a particular interest in this issue. How dare the Taoiseach say there were no problems in 2002 and then gloss over the facts relating to the e-voting fiasco?