Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 443: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of the malfunction of some of the electronic voting technology in the US in the course of the recent primaries, he has made overtures to the US authorities with a view to the disposal of the e-voting technology which is currently a burden on the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15473/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 444: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost to date of electronic voting technology including storage, promotion, ongoing contracts and other costs; if he has received expressions of interest for the disposal of the equipment from other jurisdictions; if an alternative use has to date been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15474/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 443 and 444 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 2007 is some €489,000, with figures for 2004, 2005 and 2006 amounting to some €658,000; €696,000; and €706,000 respectively. Costs incurred to date in respect of the movement of the electronic voting equipment to centralised storage arrangements are some €328,000. Further costs will be incurred in relation to the completion of these arrangements, including buy-out costs.

I am at present considering the next steps to be taken in relation to this project. In this, I am taking into account the work of the Commission on Electronic Voting which has examined the system, relevant experiences and developments internationally, and the need to maintain public confidence in the electoral process, as well as the provisions in the Programme for Government relating to electoral reform generally. My Department has not made or received enquiries or approaches, relating to other jurisdictions, along the lines referred to in the Questions.