Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the costs to date of the development, roll-out, and promotion of the electronic voting and counting system; the costs to date of storage and maintenance of the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22811/07]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Cabinet Committee on Electronic Voting last met; when a final decision will be made as to whether or not to proceed with electronic voting; if he has plans for the disposal of the electronic voting machines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22802/07]

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 301: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the costs associated to date per year with the electronic voting machines (details supplied); the estimate of further financial expenditures already contracted for; and the amount of moneys already expended including VAT payments. [22976/07]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is his intention to authorise the use of the electronic voting machines in the possession of the State and local authorities for the 2009 local and European Elections or any referendum that might be held before that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23139/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 322: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans for the future use of e-voting technology with a view to disposing of the project to an alternative jurisdiction which might be willing to utilise such a system; if he or his Department have received any cash offers in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23160/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 125, 150, 301, 312 and 322 together.

The total cost incurred to date in the development and roll-out of the electronic voting and counting system is €51.3 million (including some €2.6 million in respect of awareness and education initiatives). In addition, information provided by returning officers to my Department indicates that the total annual storage costs incurred by them in respect of the electronic voting machines and ancillary equipment in 2006 was some €706,000, with figures for 2005 and 2004 amounting to some €696,000 and €658,000 respectively. The electronic voting machines do not require maintenance on an ongoing basis.

The following tables set out annual costs for the purchase and transport of the voting machines and information provided by returning officers regarding storage arrangements entered into by them in each of the 25 locations involved:

Significant progress has been made in the transfer of the electronic voting equipment to centralised premises in Gormanston; arrangements are being made to transfer further such equipment to Gormanston. It is not possible to detail conclusively at this stage the total costs which will be associated with the centralised storage arrangements. Costs incurred in respect of the work to date are some €254,000. Further costs will be incurred in relation to the completion of the centralised storage arrangements, including buy-out costs.

The Government decision to proceed with the movement of the electronic voting equipment to centralised premises was made taking into account a range of factors, including costs of current and centralised arrangements and the likely benefits to be realised.

The Cabinet Committee on Electronic Voting established by the previous Government last met on 13 February 2007. I am at present considering the next steps to be taken in relation to the electronic voting and counting project, in association with the provisions in the Agreed Programme for Government relating to electoral reform generally.

My Department has had no approach from other jurisdictions along the lines outlined in Question no. 322.