Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the timeframe envisaged for the completion of the new round of tests planned for the electronic voting machines; the intended date for the publication of the resulting report; the estimated cost of this round of tests; the tests which will be used; the nature of the tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22205/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As part of a programme of further assessment, testing and validation of the electronic voting and counting system, tenders have been sought from suitably qualified consultants to undertake a security and risk assessment of all aspects of the system and to devise a programme of additional testing. This work is intended to address issues raised by the commission on electronic voting and demonstrate that the system operates reliably, securely and accurately. The test programme will include both functional testing and technical analysis of the system components.

The closing date for receipt of tenders was 21 June 2005. The tenders received are being assessed and a decision in this regard will be made as soon as possible. In these circumstances, it is not yet possible to specify the cost involved. While it is my intention that the overall work programme on the electronic voting system will be advanced as rapidly as possible, I am not in a position to specify the precise duration of the planned consultancy work at this stage.