Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 822: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the modifications which have been judged necessary to overcome shortcomings in the electronic voting machines purchased; the programme of work which is required to prepare these machines for use; the estimated costs of such work; the timeframe for the work to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29540/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Following an open procurement process, my Department appointed consultants in July 2005 as part of a programme of further assessment, testing and validation of the electronic voting and counting system. The brief is to undertake a security and risk assessment of all aspects of the system and to devise a programme of additional testing. This is intended to address issues raised by the Commission on Electronic Voting and demonstrate that the system operates reliably, securely and accurately.

The consultancy work is under way and will be completed as soon as possible. Pending completion of the work and consideration of the outcome, it is not possible to speculate on the cost of any modifications which could arise in this regard.