Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 32: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government which local authorities continue to pay storage charges for obsolete electronic voting machines; the amount of such charges and the duration of the outstanding contracts; the progress that has been made by the working group towards the disposal or recycling of the redundant machines; the number of times this group has met and when it is due to conclude its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30726/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 527: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has received any offers from other jurisdictions willing to purchase the now obsolete electronic voting technology; if he 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. [31310/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 527 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 five times, with its most recent meeting taking place in June 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 proposals have not at this stage been invited in respect of the equipment, some expressions of interest have been received. 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.

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. There are no ongoing rental costs in respect of the use of this property. 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.

Pending completion of arrangements for the disposal of the machines, costs are being incurred for their storage. The table below, which is based on information received in my Department from Returning Officers, provides details of the annual costs for storage of the electronic voting equipment for 2009, and of the lease arrangements at each property.

Storage of Electronic Voting Equipment