Written answers

Thursday, 25 February 2010

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Election Management System

5:00 pm

Photo of Liz McManusLiz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the interdepartmental task force on e-voting machines has met in 2010; if they are in a position to conclude its work; the costs related to the storage of the machines in 2009; if the termination of leases in the remaining four locations have been concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9527/10]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress achieved to date in 2010 in efforts to dispose of the e-voting technology; if firm offers have been received; the cost of the e-voting technology including the cost of promoting its use, storage and research, with a breakdown of costings in each case on a yearly basis to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9763/10]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 165 together.

On 23 April 2009, I announced that the Government had decided not to proceed with implementation of electronic voting in Ireland. Since then, a process has been put in place to address the issues that arise from the decision. An interdepartmental task force, chaired by my Department, has been established to bring the project to an orderly conclusion and to oversee disposal of the equipment and termination of storage arrangements. The task force aims to complete its work as soon as possible. The task force met three times in 2009, with its next meeting due to take place in March 2010. Between meetings, my Department maintains ongoing contact with members of the task force, in order to progress work on the cessation arrangements for the project.

In considering options for disposal of the equipment, the priority is to pursue the most economically advantageous approach, with a view to achieving the maximum recovery of cost possible in the circumstances, consistent with environmental and other obligations. Detailed consideration of all relevant factors is under way to inform the manner in which disposal of the machines will be effected. This includes contact with the original suppliers of the machines.

In 2007, over 60% of the machines (4,762 in total) were moved from 12 local storage locations to a central facility at Gormanston Army Camp. The remaining machines are stored at 13 local premises that were originally identified by Returning Officers for this purpose. It is intended that all machines will be removed from their present locations when arrangements for disposal are implemented. Work on termination of local lease arrangements is proceeding in this context.

My Department engaged consultants with valuation expertise in May 2007, following competitive tendering, to examine individual leases and make recommendations on termination of leases where appropriate. In May 2008, I accepted the consultants' recommendations and these are currently being implemented. The consultants recommended termination of leases in seven cases and this has since occurred in three locations. No additional payments were made in respect of these terminations.

Work is ongoing on concluding the other four leases. It is expected that, in certain instances, termination of lease arrangements will give rise to buy-out costs and these will be dependent on the outcome of negotiations.

The total expenditure on the development and roll-out of the electronic voting system to date is some €51.346 million, the bulk of which has been incurred in purchasing the voting machines and ancillary equipment. These costs are set out in the following table.

Electronic Voting and Counting Project - Expenditure to Date

Expenditure itemCost (€m)
Voting Equipment – Hardware and Software47.099
Training and Awareness2.711
Consultancy, Testing and Miscellaneous1.400
Freight and Insurance.136
Total€51.346

Based on figures received in my Department from Returning Officers, the total annual costs for storage of the electronic voting equipment (including the cost of insurance, service charges, rates and heating) for 2009 were some €182,500. Storage costs for 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 were some €658,000; €696,000; €706,000; €489,000; and €204,000, respectively.

Costs incurred in respect of the movement of electronic voting equipment to Gormanston in 2007 were some €328,000.

Question No. 25 answered with Question No. 7.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the Independent Electoral Commission, as promised in the programme for Government 2007 and the revised programme for Government 2009; when it is proposed that the commission will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9384/10]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The programme for Government, agreed in 2007, contains a commitment to the establishment of an independent Electoral Commission which will take responsibility for electoral administration and oversight, implement modern and efficient electoral practices, revise constituency boundaries, take charge of compiling a new national rolling Electoral Register, take over the functions of the Standards in Public Office Commission relating to election spending and examine the issue of financing the political system.

The renewed programme for Government, agreed in October 2009, reaffirms this commitment and states that an independent Electoral Commission will incorporate the functions of the Standards in Public Office Commission, with enhanced powers of inspection. The renewed programme sets out the following responsibilities which the Commission will be mandated to fulfil: to decide the constituency boundaries; administer the voting registration process; run voter education programmes; advise on mechanisms to increase the participation of women in political life, including the use of additional criteria for public funding which encourages more women and lesser represented groups; and recommend revised guidelines on the declaration of donations for political purposes.

In addition, the renewed programme states that, within 12 months, the Commission will also propose reforms to the electoral system, including:

· make recommendations on the feasibility of extending the franchise for Presidential Elections to the Irish abroad;

· examine and make recommendations for changes to the electoral system for Dáil elections, including the number of deputies and their means of elections;

· outline new electoral systems for Seanad Éireann;

· advise on the basis for European elections to reflect new realities of the role and influence of the European Parliament, including consideration of moving towards one national constituency and using a list system;

· make recommendations on the possibility of extending the franchise for Local Elections to those aged 16 or over;

· set minimum standards for the taking and publication of political polls within the state to ensure fairness and accuracy, and;

· consider options for the timing of elections for local authorities, the Dáil, Seanad and European Parliament. This should include the possibility of 'mid-term' elections and running some elections on a 'staggered' or 'rolled' basis so that elections do not fall on the same day for every candidate or chamber.

In implementing the commitments as set out in the 2007 Programme for Government, and to assist in consideration of the issues involved, I commissioned a report by an expert group from University College Dublin. I published the report, entitled A Preliminary Study on the Establishment of an Electoral Commission in Ireland, for consultation in February 2009. The report is available on my Department's website, www.environ.ie. Written submissions received to date as part of the consultation process are currently being considered. While the formal closing date for written submissions has passed, I will still welcome and consider any views and observations that are put forward by interested individuals and organisations.

In developing and bringing forward proposals for the establishment of an independent Electoral Commission, based on the commitments contained in the programme for Government and the renewed programme for Government, I will take into account the report prepared by the UCD group and views put forward as part of the consultation process.

I expect to progress the establishment of an Independent Electoral Commission this year.

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