Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 410: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans for the disposal of the e-voting machines in view of his announcement in April 2009 that he was setting up a task force to oversee same; the cost to date of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10098/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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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, which met three times in 2009, and is due to meet this month, aims to complete its work as soon as possible. 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 underway to inform the manner in which disposal of the machines will be effected. This includes contact with the original suppliers of the machines. 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

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, which represents a reduction in the equivalent costs for previous years. 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. 411 answered with Question No. 394.