Written answers

Tuesday, 19 October 2010

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Electronic Voting Machines

9:00 am

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Interdepartmental Task Force on the disposal of the redundant electronic voting equipment will issue its final report, including a timeframe for the ending of outstanding leases and the disposal of the equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37435/10]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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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. 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.

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