Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number and locations at which electronic voting equipment is currently stored; the ongoing costs; his proposals for this technology in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5227/06]

Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost to date in 2006 of electronic voting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5246/06]

Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 201: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if and when he believes electronic voting will be introduced here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5247/06]

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 642: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to reduce the cost of storage for the electronic voting machines; and the annual and total costs to date in 2006 of storing same. [5445/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 659: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way in which the concept of e-voting was first generated in this Department; the person from whom advice was given or sought; if the full financial implications were thoroughly examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5780/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 660: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in the course of the initial consideration of the concept of e-voting, any regard was had for alternative use for the technology in the event of not proceeding with the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5781/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 154, 181, 201, 642, 659 and 660 together.

The Government decision in February 2000 to move to electronic voting and counting in Ireland followed extensive research on electronic voting systems and experiences in other countries and input from a range of sources on legislative, financial and practical considerations, including from representative returning officers, the local government computer services board, Department officials and other Departments in the course of interdepartmental consultation. In this context, the issue of alternative uses of the technology did not arise.

The total cost incurred to date in the development and roll out of the electronic voting and counting system is some €51.3 million. In addition, information provided by returning officers to my Department indicates that the total annual storage cost for the electronic voting machines and ancillary equipment is some €696,000; payments to returning officers in respect of their electoral duties are made by the Department of Finance from the central fund. The table gives information on the storage of the electronic voting equipment by returning officers. I have requested my Department to examine the question of central storage of the voting equipment.

A programme of further assessment, testing and validation of the electronic voting and counting system is underway to address issues raised by the Commission on Electronic Voting and demonstrate that the system operates reliably, securely and accurately. The timing of the further use of the system is dependent on the progress made with this work and the ongoing work of the Commission on Electronic Voting and on the dates on which future polls may be held.