James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the total costs of the purchase, storing and disposal of the obsolete e-voting machines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38007/10]

John 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. 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.

The total expenditure on the electronic voting project to date, including on storage, is some €54.613 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