Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the interdepartmental task force into the disposal of electronic voting equipment has indicated a date for completion of its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22245/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 209: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received any offers from other jurisdictions willing to purchase the new obsolete electronic voting technology; if he or his Department has sought any possible purchasers; the extent of any negotiations to date; when he expects to conclude any such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22629/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 209 together.

Following the Government decision not to proceed with implementation of electronic voting in Ireland, an Interdepartmental Task Force, chaired by my Department, was established to bring the project to an orderly conclusion and to oversee disposal of the equipment and termination of storage arrangements. To date, the Task Force has met four times, with its most recent meeting taking 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. While the Task Force has not, at this stage, invited proposals in respect of the equipment, some expressions of interest have been received in the course of its work. The Task Force aims to complete its work as soon as possible.

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.