Written answers
Thursday, 11 October 2007
Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Election Management System
5:00 pm
Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if in relation to each of the venues at constituency level, there is a long-term lease involved for the storage of the e-voting machines; the location involved; the term involved in the lease; the cost implications on the termination of these leases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23314/07]
Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the costs of the centralised storage of the e-voting machines per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23315/07]
Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans for centralising the storage of the e-voting machines with details of the location of such central storage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23316/07]
Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the costs of storing e-voting machines in each constituency in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23317/07]
Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the storage costs at each location in relation to the e-voting machines for 2005 and 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23318/07]
Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the e-voting machines and where they were stored in 2006, giving details of the exact locations and names of the venues and the costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23319/07]
John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 to 174, inclusive, together.
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 amounted to some €706,000, with figures for 2005 and 2004 amounting to some €696,000 and €658,000 respectively.
The following table sets out information provided by returning officers regarding storage arrangements entered into by them in each of the 25 locations involved:
| Storage of Electronic Voting Equipment | ||||
| City/County | Location of Storage Premises | Storage Costs 2005 (incl. VAT) | Storage Costs 2006 (incl. VAT) | Lease |
| € | € | |||
| Carlow-Kilkenny | Mortarstown | 29,595.00 | 30,166.00 | 2 years |
| Cavan-Monaghan | Monaghan Town | 25,828.00 | 27,075.32 | 25 years |
| Clare | Ennis | 3,600.00 | 3,600.00 | Monthly basis |
| Cork City | Togher | 42,499.50 | 53,942.33 | 10 years |
| Cork County | Ballygarvan | 37,609.30 | 35,124.00 | Annual basis |
| Donegal | Letterkenny | 15,714.00 | 16,685.80 | Annual basis |
| Dublin City | Ballycoolin | 72,350.00 | 71,265.00 | 8 years |
| Dublin County | Finglas | 62,938.66 | 49,034.86 | Annual basis |
| Galway | Galway City | 5,253.00 | Nil | N/A |
| Kerry | Tralee | 26,125.00 | 22,624.96 | 10 years |
| Kildare | Clane | 27,125.86 | 31,984.21 | 9 years 9 months with 5 year break clause |
| Laois-Offaly | Portlaoise | 28,178.00 | 27,647.60 | 5 years |
| Limerick | Limerick City | 57,675.86 | 64,465.30 | 4 years 9 months |
| Longford | Longford Town | 15,095.16 | 18,439.88 | 4 years 9 months |
| Roscommon | Roscommon Town | 10,374.98 | 9,816.00 | 2 years 6 months |
| Louth | Dundalk | 298.00 | 593.47 | N/A |
| Mayo | Castlebar | 34,930.00 | 37,426.00 | Annual basis |
| Meath | Navan | 20,366.00 | 21,976.51 | 9 years 9 months |
| Sligo | Sligo Town | Nil | Nil | N/A |
| Leitrim | Carrick-on-Shannon | 3,000.00 | 3,150.00 | 1 year |
| Tipperary (N&S) | Clonmel | 42,700.00 | 31,200.00 | 5 years |
| Waterford | Waterford City | 52,888.48 | 57,699.17 | 10 years |
| Westmeath | Mullingar | 22,805.34 | 21,772.62 | 4 years 9 months |
| Wexford | Drinagh | 16,876.00 | 19,064.76 | Monthly basis |
| Wicklow | Kilcoole | 42,455.80 | 54,241.29 | Annual basis |
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. It would not be appropriate to comment at this stage on detailed costs that might be involved in the buy-out of leases given the commercial considerations involved.
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.
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